Christian Agencies Prepare to Feed Hundreds of Needy

One of Long Beach’s most stylish restaurants will serve meals Christmas Day to 1,200 poor people--provided they have reservations.

Mum’s restaurant, 144 Pine Ave., will open its doors to the poor and homeless from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, according to Capt. Donald Bell of the Salvation Army. Diners must first get a ticket and serving time from the Salvation Army’s Family Service Department, 834 Pacific Ave.

The Long Beach Rescue Mission, 1335 Pacific Ave., will serve the needy free turkey and ham dinners from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, a spokeswoman said. Every diner will receive a Christmas gift.

The mission, which houses and feeds needy people year-round and depends entirely on private contributions, served 581 Thanksgiving dinners this year, said Wayne Teuerle, founder and executive director.

Christian Outreach Appeal, 3rd Street and Linden Avenue, plans to serve free ham dinners from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Eve. Up to 400 diners are expected, a spokeswoman said. The organization will not serve Christmas Day meals because it will relinquish its dining hall for church services, the spokeswoman said.

Besides cash donations, people can volunteer their services by calling the Christian Outreach Appeal office.

About 3,200 families have signed up for the Salvation Army’s Operation Christmas, which has programs tailored to meet the needs of families, including a Christmas party Saturday for children at the Elks Lodge on Willow Street, vouchers for Christmas dinner foodstuffs and a shop for parents to select toys for their children.

The Salvation Army had raised $56,000 toward its goal of $150,000. Bell said donations of money, food and toys are still needed.