History

In 1964, the Frederick Rescue Mission opened with humble offerings and a desire to make an impact on our community in need. What began with a thrift store and 10-bed shelter for homeless men has expanded to touch the lives of tens of thousands of people in our community over the years. 

In 1984, the Mission moved to the heart of downtown Frederick and transformed the building that once served as the Frederick County jail into a place where people can be free to experience hope and healing. 

Over the next decade, the Bread of Life Community Kitchen opened in keeping with Christ’s ministry of feeding the hungry. Still today, we offer breakfast and lunch – 7 days a week – to the hungry and homeless. 

We recognized that many of those who came to our table also struggled with addiction. The Changed Life Recovery Program (CLRP) was created to address the core issues of addiction by helping to heal the body and mind. 

In addition to daily breakfast and dinner, we provide no-cost groceries for our community to take home and share with their families, allowing us to serve greater numbers of people in need. This ministry expanded from its beginnings as a hallway aisle inside the main Mission building to the current stand-alone Food Distribution Center, located next to the Mission.

Faith House – a shelter for women and women with children who are experiencing homelessness – opened in 2016. The Faith House shelter can house up to 12 women and 8 children. Not long after, in 2020, this ministry expanded by adding the Faith House Transitional Living Program apartments. This year-long program provides a supportive environment for up to 19 women and 16 children. 

In December 2018, we were blessed with the George L. Shields Bread of Life Kitchen. This upgraded kitchen facility is where our staff and volunteers prepare meals with love. This is also an encouraging and safe place for the men in our residential program to learn new skills and gain a sense of pride in the work they’re doing.  

No other organization in Frederick serves more meals or provides more food items to the hungry and homeless men and women, and children. Serving for nearly 60 years, the Frederick Rescue Mission and its life-changing programs are still making a difference – changing lives now and for eternity.