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The Great Falls Rescue Mission now has what it needs to make the holidays brighter.

Just a few days ago, we told you that the Rescue Mission put out a call for assistance in purchasing a new convection oven in order to help them deal with an increasing demand for service. The Mission currently has two ovens, but a third oven was needed in order to meet the increased demand for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Doug Dolan, the lead cook at the facility, said that they had found a good deal on an oven from a retailer in New Jersey with a price of $2,400.

After KRTV aired the story, nearly $500 was donated, much of it from the Great Falls Police Protective Association, and on Friday morning, local financial company D.A. Davidson announced that it had contributed the remaining $1,900.

I spoke with Jim Kizer, the director of the Rescue Mission, and he said that it has been "an awesome week." He expressed his appreciation for the generosity of local people and businesses, saying, "The citizens of Great Falls have really taken care of us...when people realize what the need is, they help out."

Kizer said that last year, the Mission served up 570 meals on Thanksgiving and over 800 on Christmas; this year, they expect as many as 800 people for Thanksgiving and up to 1,000 for Christmas.

Kizer also noted that the third oven is a long-term investment, and the benefits will be felt long after the holiday season.

Visit the Great Falls Rescue Mission website to learn more.
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