LAFAYETTE, Ga. (BP) – About 14 years ago, members at Second Baptist Church wanted to get more active in helping their community at Thanksgiving. They fed souls and now wanted to feed bodies as well.
The church is located in a lower socioeconomic part of town, with government housing adjacent to its property. The need is there. Somewhere between 100-200 attended the first Thanksgiving Day outreach with meals distributed inside the church gym and others delivered. Since then, numerous other churches in the area across denominations have contributed to the ministry both in supplies and volunteers.
Last Thursday, about 650 people received plates of turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, corn and rolls. Various cakes and pies provided dessert options.
“Everybody is thankful,” said Nancy Eaton, who has been a part of the outreach since its beginning and has become its lead organizer. “As it is community-wide, this isn’t just our church. The majority of churches in Lafayette work well together. We had around 70 volunteers over the course of two days.”
Wednesday is the long day, with food prep taking place in the kitchen but also the parking lot. The latter sees about 40 turkeys baptized in hot peanut oil among eight friers.
Visitors are encouraged to share any needs. Those needs are written down and placed on trees in the Second Baptist sanctuary for others to view and possibly fulfill.
“Often, it’s blankets, coats, shoes and things like that,” said Pastor Mike Peterson. “Later on, we invite them back for them to pick up their gifts, and that’s a fun day, too. Our gym is packed with table after table of gifts for Christmas.”
Thanksgiving Day guests are welcome to stay and eat, but many also fill to-go plates for family members unable to be there. Volunteers deliver plates to shut-ins and apartment buildings throughout the area. First responders, familiar with the church’s designated space for those on call, also received deliveries if they didn’t drop by on their own.
“One of our people called stores that were open on Thanksgiving and arranged for plates to go to the employees,” said Peterson. “Each week for about a month, we put cards in the church with items we need. People take those and choose an item. Other churches pitch in.”
Many of the to-go plates are taken to areas where homeless live, he added. “I think they probably served another hundred plates there,” Peterson said.
Food is central, but it is far from the only thing offered.
“Our volunteers go around and talk to people as they come and go,” said Eaton. “They invite them to church if they don’t have a church family and spend time with them. They want them to feel at home.”
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