Rescue Mission Closes Out Capital Campaign
The Rescue Mission of Fort Wayne has closed a $20 million fundraising campaign, its largest effort to date. The money will be used for costs associated with the construction of a new building the nonprofit moved into last year. The celebration included the presentation of a $100,000 gift from South Bend-based 1st Source Bank.
Fundraising for the campaign began in 2017, but the hindered a full launch of the public phase of the campaign in 2020.
“It’s by the grace of God and the generosity of key partners and the community that we were able to complete the campaign and build the new site,” said Reverend Donovan Coley, chief executive officer and senior pastor of The Rescue Mission. “The new facility enables us to serve the community at a higher level and connect more people to life-saving resources.”
The Rescue Mission says it began discussions about a possible location move in 2015 when the city of Fort Wayne announced plans for a riverfront development project.
The old facility at 301 West Superior Street was purchased by the city of Fort Wayne. The building was torn down in May in preparation for the next phase of the riverfront project.
The Rescue Mission says it served more than 4,500 meals during the Thanksgiving holiday alone and continues to provide over 200 beds each night to people seeking shelter.