RALEIGH - Danny Hurst has been a resident at the Raleigh Rescue Mission for two and a half months, fighting alcohol abuse and trying to get his life together. But he was in for a surprise today, coming to lunch to find some unusual visitors.

N.C. State football coach Tom O'Brien and a dozen Wolfpack players were at the mission to lend a hand, to offer support. O'Brien shook hands at the start of the line while the players — starting safety DaJuan Morgan, receiver John Dunlap and tight end Anthony Hill among them — manned serving stations for the Red, Hot & Blue barbecue, chicken, slaw and banana pudding, handing out the food, saying hello, listening to a few stories and telling a few.

Hurst, 25, was wearing a T-shirt with "School of Hard Knocks" on the front. A Maryland native, he said he's a college basketball fan who pulls for the Maryland Terrapins, but he said he appreciated having O'Brien and the players take the time to drop by.

"This means a lot, to me and to the others here at the mission," Hurst said. "It shows people in the community do care.

"Some people talk about caring. These people showed they do care by coming here today."

O'Brien is the Pack's new coach, coming to State from Boston College after the 2006 season. At BC, he said, such community events were common. At N.C. State, he said, he hopes there will be more.

"I think it's very important to be involved in the community," O'Brien said. "This is the first function we've been invited to do, and I think it's important for the players to get out and help and give something back.

"Just like anything else, they're a little scared at first because they're not sure of what it will be and what it entails. Then when they get here, all they do is talk about it going back on the bus and talk to their teammates what a great experience it was."

Lynn Daniell, executive director of the mission, played football for the Pack from 1968 to 1971. The Wilson native said the recently expanded mission, funded mostly through individual donations, has room for 100 residents at any given time. Its emergency shelter, he said, often houses 20 homeless women and children a night.

Daniell commended O'Brien for taking time during spring practice to come to the mission.

"Something he made clear from the start with his objectives for his players is that they be involved in the community," Daniell said. "Many look up to athletes. That they would come in and be humble and be willing to serve those less fortunate, I think that's remarkable."