REDDING, Calif. — A chance encounter along the Sacramento River led to a major donation for the Good News Rescue Mission and a turning point for a man working to rebuild his life.
200 pounds of meat donated by Kenny Elwood, President of Lassen Canyon and owner of DeVine, to the Good News Rescue Mission. August 21, 2026 (KRCR)
The mission received 200 pounds of beef, donated by Kenny Elwood, the owner of DeVine Restaurant, after Elwood and Dylan Meese formed a relationship that began when Meese was living beneath the restaurant while the property was undergoing renovation.
“I was homeless on the streets for about on and off ten plus years,” Meese said. “I never had somebody just come up to me and be like, hey, you want a job? You want to work? You want to change your life? He offered that.”
Kenny Elwood, President of Lassen Canyon and owner of DeVine at the Good News Rescue Mission. August 21, 2026 (KRCR)
Elwood said he first offered Meese a way to earn money by cleaning up trash around the property near the river.
“So I said, hey, you want to have a job? There’s a lot of garbage around here. So, ten bucks a bag. And that’s how it started,” Elwood said.
What began with a few bags of trash grew into a friendship and mentorship. Meese continued working and later recruited two other men experiencing homelessness to help with cleanup; those men still help Elwood today. Elwood also provided Meese with an electric bike to help him travel between work and the Good News Rescue Mission, and he encouraged Meese to seek help and go to rehab.
Meese said a key moment came when he held his son for the first time.
Dylan Meese, graduate of the Good News Rescue Mission Disciple’s Program, and his 1-year-old son, Brittan in the GNRM kitchen. August 21, 2026 (KRCR)
“I held him, and I was like, well, this is what I’m doing now,” Meese said. “And I instantly went to Mr. Elwood and said, hey, I got to get back in program. Is there any way that you can hold my job, swap for me while you’re in program to take care of what I need to for my son? And he totally supported me on that, had my back on it and said, yeah, family is more important than anything.”
Meese returned to the Good News Rescue Mission and worked toward completing its Discipleship Program. He graduated from the program on Aug. 14.
Justin Wandro, GNRM Chief Impact Officer said the impact of that kind of support goes beyond services alone.
Kenny Elwood, Dylan Meese, Brittan, Justin Wandro in the GNRM kitchen. August 21, 2026 (KRCR)
“Like we talk about a lot at the Mission that we can do programs, and programs are great, but really it’s about relationship and connection with people,” the Wandro said. “And so, whether it’s our staff, or it’s volunteers, and mentors from the community who say, hey, I see the value in you as a person, and I’m going to believe in you, and support you, and help you. And that changes everything for someone.”
The donation of 200 pounds of meat was in honor of Meese’s success, helping the mission serve hundreds of meals. Elwood encouraged others to find ways to help in their own communities.
“Well, look inside yourself. There are all kinds of ways to do kindness. You could be a mentor for somebody or go to a senior citizen center or wherever you are, whatever gives you fulfillment. That’s where you need to be,” Elwood said.
Meese said he is continuing to build his relationship with his son and is preparing for a Sept. 1 court date as he tries to get more time with him. The mission also said Meese is looking ahead to plans to attend Shasta College to pursue a Heavy Equipment Operator certificate.
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