Union Gospel Mission hosts 12th annual free Labor Day barbecue fundraiser

While many people spent Labor Day relaxing away from work, volunteers with the Union Gospel Mission spent the holiday serving free meals to anyone in need. For the 12th consecutive year, the nonprofit hosted its Labor Day Barbecue Fundraiser, serving roughly 600 plates of food. The event helps the organization raise money during a time of year when donations can slow down. 'Summers are horrible for nonprofits,' said Jon Rector, executive director of the Union Gospel Mission. 'People are on vacation. People are doing other things, and giving always drops off. We understand that, and so this fundraiser helps us kind of offset that.' For 75 years, the Union Gospel Mission has provided food, shelter and clothing to people experiencing homelessness in Chattanooga. Unlike many fundraisers, however, no donation was required to receive a meal. 'If you're hungry and you need something to eat, you don't have to drop a dime,' Rector said. 'Just come get a plate and go eat. That's what we do. That's the mission that we have.' Rector said the decision to make the barbecue free came after a moment of reflection that changed how he viewed the fundraiser. 'I was up in the middle of the night one night just thinking, and God said, 'John, just give it away,'' Rector said. 'And I said, 'No, God, we do that already. This is a fundraiser.' And He said, 'No, well, that's what you do. You give it away.' So I said, okay.' While the meals were free, donations made during the event will help the mission purchase supplies and continue its outreach efforts. 'This will also give us that extra we need to go out and get bottled water and sports drinks and go out to the camps and minister to folks who find themselves in need,' Rector said. For Rector, spending Labor Day serving others is exactly where he wants to be. 'God, as you can see, has blessed me incredibly,' he said. 'And so if God says go out and give away barbecue, I'm just gonna have fun doing it.' Donations to the Union Gospel Mission can be made through the organization's website.