Sailors attached to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) volunteered their time to help feed the homeless, Oct. 23.

The event was coordinated between Carl Vinson's Religious Ministry Department (CRMD) and the San Diego Rescue Mission, a local charity that has been in operation for over 50 years.

"The rescue mission is for people who are having a bit of a hard time in their life, whether they have problems with drugs or alcohol or have become homeless," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Leo Ouellette, Carl Vinson's liaison with the mission. "The mission takes these people into their year-long program to help rehabilitate them with specialized classes, housing, food or providing them with work inside the organization. They re-introduce them into society in small steps."

The volunteers were taken on a brief tour of the facilities before pulling on hairnets and getting to work putting donated food into the hands of the homeless.

"Carl Vinson Sailors have been volunteering at the mission for about a year and a half, and have helped with everything from volunteering for meal services, to donation drives," said Deborah Krakauer, volunteer coordinator for the mission. "We have an average of 430 people under our roof every night in various programs, so we're incredibly grateful for all the help we've received from Carl Vinson Sailors."

Krakauer added that for Sailors looking to do their part and help the community, the timing couldn't be better.

"We're about to hit the holiday season, which presents a lot of different volunteer opportunities from the command's CRMD." Ouellette said. "I love volunteering. It provides opportunities to help the community, and be a leader. I encourage my shipmates around the world to join in and lend a helping hand this holiday season."

Carl Vinson is undergoing a Chief of Naval Operations Planned Incremental Availability maintenance period in its homeport of San Diego.

For more news from USS Carl Vinson, visit http://www.navy.mil/