Cafe area at One Mission Cambridge.
One Mission Cambridge at 614 Race Street was lively when The Spy paid a visit on October 23. People were hanging out in the cafe area where macaroni & cheese and chicken nuggets were being served (the menu changes each week) while others queued up to shop for groceries in the adjoining room.
There has been an uptick in business since government services have been reduced, and the shadow of the government shutdown felt ominous as it threatens food benefits next month.
This organization, formed in June 2022 by a coalition of Christian churches and ministries, helps around 400 people monthly, and those people go home and feed their households. So, One Mission Cambridge really sees that almost 800 people get fed every month.
But that’s not all they do. The back wall of the cafe has job postings on it that visitors can then pursue with the computers and phones that are available. Community partners (such as New Day, New Start) help distribute lunch and other items and sign folks up for their programs. Physical and mental health professionals come in periodically to meet with patients and clients.
“And if people want to come in here as a heating or warming center, as a safe place, that’s what we’re about,” explained Director Krista Pettit. “It’s all about relationship building and getting to know our neighbors, everything that we do.”
Of course, the main draw to One Mission is the opportunity to shop for groceries. Anyone interested signs in with the volunteer staff and then steps over to the next room, where they can find bags, boxes, and carts. They then can select one of each item they need, including meat from the freezer. Pettit says it’s all “set up in an efficient and consistent and dignified manner.” Patrons are allowed to visit the “store” once per month.
“We just got an order in,” says Pettit of their grocery stock. “Prior to that, our shelves were almost completely bare. … The delivery was a big relief.”
A One Mission volunteer looks over the stock.
Another relief to some visitors are the available restrooms, where some unhoused locals take “sink baths.” Next to those facilities is a cozy room for meeting privately with staff members such as center manager Shelly Houlihan. She’ll sit down with someone and ask “What else do you need help with? Filling out a job application? Knowing where to get health insurance? Or maybe job skills?”
People need a lot of help these days, Pettit lamented. “We’re seeing an increase in that since government assistance has decreased and things are more expensive. And, so, every day we have at least an average four or five new people that come through.”
Many of those people are sure to show up at Cambridge Wesleyan Church on November 24 at 1 p.m. for One Mission’s Thanksgiving dinner. That is made possible by a partnership with Taqueria Floritas Mexican Restaurant, Simmons Center Market, the Cambridge Police Department, and several churches. They expect to provide about 400 dinners at the event.
“Anyone can come here whether they’re Christian or not,” said Pettit. “But we’re a Christian nonprofit organization, so we have a lot of hope. And that’s also what we try to distribute. Just get to know people and just be encouraging and hopeful.”
The Mission Center is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or to volunteer, visit onemissioncambridge.org or call 410-901-3959.
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