Volunteers at Refuge Ministries pack Thanksgiving goodies for needy families throughout St. Clair County. Pictured, from left, are Kim Jennings, Eleanor Clinkscales, Becky Starr, Inez Burchfield, Stephanie Johnson Sawyer and Pastor Phillip Brown.
“I receive calls just about every day from people who are in need of food this Thanksgiving,” Clinkscales said. “I have a love for the seniors because they are on Social Security, they did not get a cost-of-living raise last year, and the word is they will not get one this coming year.”
In each Thanksgiving basket were a turkey breast, stuffing mix, gravy mix, green beans, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, rolls and angel food cake.
Churches lending a helping hand with food items or contributing money included Broken Arrow Baptist Church, Coosa Valley Baptist Church, Gray’s Chapel Baptist Church, Lawley’s Chapel Methodist Church, Lister Memorial Baptist Church, Lakewood Presbyterian Church, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Odenville Presbyterian Church, Pleasant Hill Methodist Church, Refuge Baptist Church and Riverside Baptist Church.
Refuge Baptist Church pastor Phillip Brown said preparing Thanksgiving food baskets has been a community project for quite a few years.
“It’s always overwhelming,” Brown said. “You see people within your community who have needs, and being able to help them in a small way is just overwhelming, especially in the times we are living in right now. Times are hard and money is tight. Some people just don’t have it, and if we can be a little part of that, then we’re doing what God wants us to do. We are surrounded by a lot of wonderful churches and a lot of great people. I’m glad and thankful to be where I’m at — helping people.”
Contact Gary Hanner at ghanner@thestclairtimes.com.
