This holiday season, the Union Gospel Mission Association of St. Paul will serve up nearly 17,000 meals to the homeless and hungry in the city.

At the mission, they like to say that "hope begins with a meal." Every day they use the meals as an opportunity to connect with the people they serve.

"The power of that first meal, to sit down and get to know them a bit. It can't be underestimated how important that is," said Brian Molohon, Vice President of Development for UGM.

"It opens the door for us to say 'Tom, what's your story? Susie, what's your story?'" explains Molohon. "The meal breaks down those barriers. It is really, really powerful."

Recently, All Things Considered host Tom Crann went to the Naomi Family Residence in St Paul to meet the people who cook these meals every day and one of the residents who has been staying at the mission for the last two year.

To listen to their conversation, click the audio player above.