DOWNTOWN — Volunteers will gather downtown Saturday, Dec. 18 for the San Diego Rescue Mission’s annual congregate Christmas meal — an event organizers said will feed more than 1,500 homeless residents. An estimated 250 volunteers will be on hand between 2 and 5 p.m. to dish up meals to hungry men, women and children at 120 Elm St. The dinners will include hot ham dinners and personal necessities like T-shirts, socks, towels, shampoo, soap and lotion. Volunteers will also provide homeless residents with information about life-changing programs available to those in need. Organizers also said the event is intended to provide comfort and social support during an otherwise difficult time for homeless residents. Officials with the San Diego Rescue Mission estimate an increase of 8 percent in the number of homeless on city streets just this year. Mayor Jerry Sanders is expected to participate in the event from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.sdrescue.org.