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WASHINGTON (AP) — A Christian rescue mission in the nation's capital is serving up thousands of Thanksgiving meals.
Washington's Central Union Mission mainly serves homeless men, but Pastor William Spence says, "On days like this we open up to families to come in who may be struggling and in need of some joy and some encouragement."
Hundreds of people have volunteered to serve Thanksgiving meals that include food donated by some of the city's best restaurants and markets.
The mission offers food, shelter, clothing, showers and other services to Washington's homeless, along with daily chapel services that people are invited, but not required, to attend.
Spence says the Bible teaches, "If a man comes to your home and he's hungry, give him something to eat. Then tell him the gospel, because if he's hungry he can't hear you."
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166-w-29-(Steve Coleman, AP religion editor, with Pastor William Spence, a chaplain at Central Union Mission)--A Christian rescue mission in the nation's capital is serving up thousands of Thanksgiving meals. AP Religion Editor Steve Coleman reports. (24 Nov 2016)
<<CUT *166 (11/24/16)££ 00:29
167-a-06-(Pastor William Spence, a chaplain at Central Union Mission, in AP interview)-"a great meal"-Pastor William Spence, a chaplain at Central Union Mission, says hundreds of people have volunteered to serve an estimated 2500 holiday dinners. (24 Nov 2016)
<<CUT *167 (11/24/16)££ 00:06 "a great meal"
168-a-10-(Pastor William Spence, a chaplain at Central Union Mission, in AP interview)-"and some encouragement"-Pastor William Spence, a chaplain at Central Union Mission, says it's a year-round ministry. ((longer version of cut used in wrap)) (24 Nov 2016)
<<CUT *168 (11/24/16)££ 00:10 "and some encouragement"
171-a-10-(Pastor William Spence, a chaplain at Central Union Mission, in AP interview)-"can't hear you"-Pastor William Spence, a chaplain at Central Union Mission, says poor people need more than a sermon. (24 Nov 2016)
<<CUT *171 (11/24/16)££ 00:10 "can't hear you"
170-a-11-(Pastor William Spence, a chaplain at Central Union Mission, in AP interview)-"meeting your needs"-Pastor William Spence, a chaplain at Central Union Mission, says their chapel services are offered, but not required. ((longer version of cut used in wrap)) (24 Nov 2016)
<<CUT *170 (11/24/16)££ 00:11 "meeting your needs"
169-a-11-(Pastor William Spence, a chaplain at Central Union Mission, in AP interview)-"night, uh, every morning"-Pastor William Spence, a chaplain at Central Union Mission, says it ministers to both physical and spiritual needs. (24 Nov 2016)
<<CUT *169 (11/24/16)££ 00:11 "night, uh, every morning"
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