A growing number of churches is working to stock food banks aimed at helping those in need on a regular basis. Although the need for non-perishable food grows through the holiday season, some area churches are making sure those in need have a home cooked holiday meal this Thanksgiving.
Meals will be served in Brewton and East Brewton through the lunch hour for those who are unable to prepare their own holiday meals or who may be alone for the day.
In Brewton, three area churches, New Beginnings, Pine Grove Baptist Church and Christ Kingdom Ministry Center, are joining forces to serve Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 24. The meal will be served at the Christ Kingdom Ministry Center located on Douglas Avenue from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
In East Brewton, meals prepared by Healing of the Soul ministries will be available at their facility on Florida Street. The ministry is being assisted by Full Gospel Commuity Church, Liberty Baptist and Shady Grove Community Church for the 2011 event.
Betty Queen, an organizer for the Brewton feeding event, said providing the festive meal has become an annual event for those involved.
“It is becoming a tradition to serve this meal to those who may not otherwise have a good meal on Thanksgiving Day,” Queen said. “We will even deliver to those who can’t come to the church for the meal.”
Free home delivery is available to the elderly and those in need of that service by contacting Queen at 867-8888 or Brittani at 236-0930.
Janet Byrd, organizer with Healing of the Soul in East Brewton said they are planning more than 300 Thanksgiving dinners at the facility at 110 Florida Street.
“We cook every day, but not for this many people,” Byrd said. “We will begin serving at 11 a.m. and feed as many as we can by 2 p.m. This year we are working with Full Gospel Community Church in Dixonville, Liberty Baptist Church and Shady Grove Community Church. They are sending volunteers to work and, hopefully the weather will cooperate and we will set up tables outside to make enough room. Folks can come there and eat or they can pick it up and take it with them.”
For more information on the East Brewton meal service contact Byrd at 867-8810.
Last year, Thanksgiving meals were offered up to more than 400 area residents looking for a free Thanksgiving meal. Each of the locations will feature traditional fare for the feast at no cost to the public.
Although churches have joined to supply the food and labor needed to provide the meals, donations will be accepted, organizers said.