Ministry Spotlight:
Thanksgiving Meals Outreach Program
Continuing a 10 year tradition at Grace in the Desert, the congregation will come together this weekend (Nov. 23-24) to prepare bags of Thanksgiving Meals for families in need. “There are families who don’t get to celebrate Thanksgiving because they can’t afford the cost of preparing a meal. We try to give them all the food and necessary supplies so that they can celebrate and share a full Thanksgiving meal as a family,” said Patricia Seay who is on the Outreach Committee and helps lead the Thanksgiving Meals ministry. Patricia isn’t exaggerating! The ministry leadership, who also includes Darlene Albert and Gwen Baccus among other volunteers, put together Thanksgiving meal bags that include a 12-15 lbs Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, corn, string beans, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, pie, a roasting pan and tote bags to carry all the supplies.
Local stores such as Albertsons, Walmart and Smith support the ministry by providing some of the food and the ministry works with the Clyde C. Cox Elementary School and the Clark County School District to select families that are in need. The Grace congregation provides monetary donations, or may choose to buy a complete meal or donate a turkey through the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive. Every year on the weekend before Thanksgiving, the Grace congregation works together to unload the supplies, organize the meals into tote bags and deliver the meals to the families. The ministry started small by providing around 25 meals. The Outreach Committee wanted to focus on a local ministry, and was even able to help several families in our own congregation. Over the past 10 years, the ministry has grown to the goal of 150 meals. Last year the ministry exceeded the goal by providing 167 meals. This year’s goal is the same – the amount of donated supplies, volunteers and families in need of a meal will determine how many meals will be provided.
How can you help? The ministry is always accepting donations to help buy more meals. On Saturday, the congregation will need help unloading can goods into the Parish Hall at 1 p.m. On Sunday, after the 10:30 a.m. service, everyone is welcome to join the assembly line in the Parish Hall as we fill the Thanksgiving meal bags. The congregation is also welcome to help deliver and distribute the meals to the family. Patricia can provide more details on distributing the meals. Most importantly, the ministry is looking for new leadership. If you are interested in this ministry, it is encouraged that you attend the next Outreach Committee meeting and bring new ideas and suggestions.
“Thank you for supporting this very special ministry. Without your support these families would not have a Thanksgiving.” ~ Patricia Seay
Outreach Thanksgiving Bags