Soldiers prepare meals as part of community service

FORT BENNING, Ga., (Jan. 22, 2014) -- Approximately 20 Soldiers with 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, helped prepare and serve the Loaves and Fishes Meals at the Howard Mott Center for Men Jan. 14.

The Soldiers, a part of C Company, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, saw the event as a way to bond as a unit and give back to the community that supports the Sledgehammer Brigade.

The event was sponsored by the Valley Rescue Mission Center, which provides three meals a day as part of their Loaves and Fishes Meal Ticket program.

"The center has been in existence for 50 years and has been serving the 'Loaves and Fishes Meal' on a daily basis regardless of the weather," said Rhonda Mobley, the center's executive director.

This is a program that is open to anyone in the community. This meal is critical because it may be the only meal they have to eat that day. It's very important that it's nutritious and healthy, she said. Nearly 21 percent of Columbus residents live in poverty.

"It's always a good feeling to give back to the community," said Staff Sgt. Anthony Hill, an armored crewman assigned to the 1st Bn, 15th Inf., Regt.

"A lot of the new Soldiers coming haven't experienced going down range and receiving a box or gift basket from people you don't know who couldn't afford to send it but sent it. So, this is my way of saying 'thank you' to those who supported me during my deployments."

Hill said it brightens his day to see them smile and a great way for the Soldiers to come together as a team and give back to the community.

In addition to serving meals, the center provides emergency shelter and a goal-based addiction recovery program for men only.

It also has a transient program that allows men to stay short-term overnight, provides basic essentials to men in need and affords men the opportunity to enter a rehabilitation program.

A program lasts between 90 days and 12 months, depending on individual needs. They do have a center available for women and children at a separate location.

"The Valley Rescue Mission Center is a nonprofit Christian organization that does not receive government funding; it relies solely on the generosity of the community," said Mobley.

Visit the website at www.valleyrescuemission.net.