FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — The Fort Wayne Rescue Mission handed out thousands of meals this Easter Sunday, the third largest holiday for the mission.

According to a release from The Rescue Mission, this year’s approach was a carry-out style, allowing any community member to grab a meal.

Last year, The Rescue Mission handed out almost 2,500 meals. This year’s goal was 4,000.

CEO and President of The Rescue Mission Donovan Coley said that this day can be “another day of struggle to fulfill basic needs” for some. By handing out free meals, The Rescue Mission is able to “provide warmth [and] comfort.”

“We often say here hope begins with a meal. And with us being a community of compassion, it is so important for us to let people in the community know that they are not forgotten even on a day when families are gathered together,” said Coley. “This is our family and so we just welcome them to let them know that we see them, we welcome them and would like to feed them.”

Free meals do not stop after Easter Sunday. The Rescue Mission serves three hot meals a day every day. These meals are free and open to anyone in the community.

For more information on today’s event or future free meals, visit The Rescue Mission’s website.