Kern Mercer of New Middletown prepares yams for Sunday’s Easter meal at the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley in Youngs-town.

YOUNGSTOWN – Volunteers and staff at the Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley awoke early Sunday morning to prepare and to serve free Easter dinners to the public.

Joel Savala, one of the five cooks at the mission, said he and the others prepared 20 hams as well as sweet potatoes, corn, rolls, cranberry sauce and desserts. A few hard-boiled and colored Easter eggs also were offered.

“We know people appreciate being able to come here and receive a hot meal and have a place to go to on Easter,” Savala said.

Savala, who is marking his first time as a cook for the Easter meal, said it makes him feel good to serve and help others.

“Two years ago I was homeless,” he said. “I want to give back and help others like they helped me. I understand how it feels to be hungry and needing a place to be.”

Mission officials said that this year the number of volunteers has nearly doubled with 14 dedicated individuals lending their time.

Volunteers and staff spent time in the kitchen preparing the food while others served the food.

Rosella Baker of Youngstown said she helped cook the ham and other food.

She said she began volunteering at the mission after the mission helped members of her family who stayed there.

“I had family members who were helped by the mission, so I wanted to do what I could to help others and be here for them on Easter,” Baker said.

Some of the cooks arrived at 5 a.m. Sunday.

Volunteers said they were preparing food for at least 400 people during the four hours the meal was served.

“Anyone who wanted a meal was welcome to stop by,” Baker said.

She said even during the week the mission has seen an increase for people needing a meal or food.

“People are struggling to pay utility bills and other expenses, so they come here for a meal. Near the end of the month it gets tough for a lot of people,” Baker said.

Doris Wylie, a cook who has been with the mission for 20 years, said she gives God praise for her and others being able to come together on Easter and other holidays and provide people with a meal and companionship.”

Wylie said part-time staff and volunteers work together.

“Words cannot express the love I have seeing the people come here and wanting to spend time with them for Easter. I have been in their shoes in different ways. I give God praise to be able to provide a meal to them and for the donors who gave us food,” she said.

Wylie said she gives God the courage that she and others are able to give back by coming in and serving people.

.”I’ve not just only been a cook. … I’m a little bit of a mom, grandmother, mentor — you name it to them.” Wylie said of the people who come to the mission.

Melanie Bitner of Mineral Ridge said she always wanted to volunteer as she helped prepare the desserts.

Maryann Scannell, formerly of Warren and now of Youngstown, said she has assisted with the Easter meal for the past four years and also with the Thanksgiving meal.

“Whatever food they want I will get them,” Scannell said. “I get in the serving line and fill the plates with food. I serve whatever they want me to do.

“I did the rolls today, which everyone liked.”

People had the choice of eating their meal at the mission, which has a room decorated with purple table cloths, colorful flowers and Easter rabbits.

Savala said he and the others wanted to make the dining area feel like a home decorated for Easter and not just a shelter.

“That was one of our goals to make people feel like they were at home. We want them to feel like being part of a family here,” he said.

Melissa Davis of Youngstown said she comes to the mission all the time indicating she enjoys the fellowship and spending time with people.

“Today is special because of Easter. People can come here and have a good meal,” she said.

Cynthia Saunders of Youngstown, who was wrapping food for those wanting to take their meal home, said whether people stayed and ate or left with their food she was glad they were able to have something to eat for Easter.

“That is what is important is to make sure they have an Easter meal,” she said.