City teams up with Zion Chapel Missionary Baptist Church to provide warm Thanksgiving meals to people in need
It was cold and rainy outside, but frequent hugs, smiles and steaming trays of green beans and other Thanksgiving meal components filled the room with warmth.
Congregants from Zion Chapel Missionary Baptist Church joined forces with local leaders, including Mayor Brandt Rydell, the Taylor Fire and Police departments and other city employees, Saturday, Nov. 19 at their place of worship, at 612 E Walnut St., to volunteer to host their annual Thanksgiving meal for area residents in need.
“We want to show the community we are here, even in the rain and the cold,” said Carol Spence, the wife of Pastor Johnny Spence, and longtime organizer of this event. “We want them to always know that God is present in everything we do.”
Though this was the 11th year of hosting this event, which has fed upwards of 700 people in the community in past years, First Lady Spence said the weather made her and fellow organizer Beverly Zachary, the church coordinator for the past two years, wonder for a moment how it would all play out.
But as always, she said, the city came through.
“Last night, it was me and Sister Beverly. It was cold and raining. I was up until 12:30 a.m.,” she said. “But when they say they are going to come, they come, full force. When I saw the police department, council ... It was just awesome.”
Indeed, prior to the event, the main hall was filled with people working after 10 a.m., from members of the fire department putting labels on trays, to District 4 City Councilman Robert Garcia and City Manager Brian LaBorde teaming up to pour the Thanksgiving fixings into aluminum catering trays.
“We are here so the community knows we are not just on the dais,” Garcia said. “We are trying to be a part of our community and better our community. Actions speak louder than words.”
Police Commander Joseph Branson and Rydell were also on hand to show where to take meals to people throughout the day.
Pastor Spence said the mayor has been involved with this event for many years.
“The mayor really knows where to find the people,” Pastor Spence said. “He can take me to some places I have never been. He knows everyone. It’s always great to ride with him.”
Rydell said he, along with four out of five of the members of council, are familiar with people in need in the community through their volunteer work with Meals on Wheels America. Rydell said it was a natural fit for him to get involved with the Thanksgiving meal event.
“I think it’s a great community-building effort,” he said. “Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. Anything I can do to promote the Thanksgiving spirit.”
Before beginning the meal service, Pastor Spence led a prayer in which everyone joined arms to ask the Lord for a blessing and remind everyone of the worth of every person, and the importance of giving to others to show God’s love.
“There are no big or little people,” Pastor Spence said. “We are all servants.”
