Sailors and civilians from the Naval Station (NAVSTA) Everett wardroom gathered at the Everett Gospel Mission to feed the homeless Jan. 18.

The Everett Gospel Mission (EGM) is a non-denominational Christian organization which is devoted to serving those in the community who need help the most.

“We serve 185 people a night that sleep here,” said EGM Food Service Manager Jim Giese. “We have some guys that are on some other programs and we feed approximately 350 to 500 people a day which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. We are here to take care of people. I tell the guys here, though we work here, we are no better. Most of the staff is only one paycheck away from being here ourselves.”

According to NAVSTA Everett Commanding Officer Capt. Thomas L. Mascolo, one of Dr. King’s legacies was not just what he did for his own race, but in a sense of service to others.

“This is the epitome of service to others when you help out people, who have not another rung to stand on,” said Mascolo. “The folks from the Naval Station are all volunteers, they are not getting any renumeration for this. All of the products are donated by various people in the community and we are just one small piece of this. It makes us feel better as Dr. King said it would to ‘help your fellow man.’”

While the NAVSTA Everett wardroom made their contribution to the EGM for the first time, this is an ongoing relationship of service between the Navy and the Everett community.

“We did all of the cooking for this meal, though there are some foods that we bought as well,” said NAVSTA Supply Officer Lt. Bert Pama,.  “NAVSTA Everett’s wardroom is serving the food today, of course in relationship to MLK. Day. It’s something that the supply department does every two weeks, so it makes us feel good and it’s something to connect the Navy to the community.”

EGM is the only shelter serving single men in the area, making this center an integral part of the community. Sailors are received with open arms at the mission for the hard work, kindness, and willingness to exemplify Navy core values on a daily basis.

“They’re awesome and we get a lot more people on the day that the Navy serves the food,” said Giese. “The food is just really awesome. They put a lot of thought into it and the guys really work hard. It is a good thing for the community.”

“This is really good to get out into the community, help out and show people that they are cared for,” said Religious Programs Specialist Seaman Clayton Brownwood, NAVSTA Everett. “Just get out and do it, because it’s fun to get out and talk to people and let them know that they are cared for.”