Rev. Lawrence Thomas said he hopes the annual Thanksgiving community meal that his church hosted Saturday is a “sign of unity and community” in Henderson.
“Families can come and just sit down and enjoy a good, hot meal together,” Thomas said about the fourth annual community Thanksgiving dinner held at the John F. Kennedy Center.
Thomas is the pastor at Healing the Broken Hearted Ministries, the church that hosts the event. Thomas said five other local churches assisted in providing the food and putting on the meal.
The City of Henderson, specifically JFK Center employees, also helped, some arriving at 7 a.m. on Saturday to start setting up for the afternoon meal which began at 2 p.m.
One of those JFK Center employees is Thomas’ brother, Bruce, who is the facility supervisor and has readily volunteered to host the event at the center all the years the meal has been held.
“He’s glad to do it, and I’m glad to have him on board with me,” Thomas said.
It was a well-attended event. Thomas said that organizers prepared food for about 500 people, and by 3:30 p.m. 400 people had eaten.
Though members of churches gave a lot of the food, two local restaurants provided the meat. Thomas said Taylor’s Grills on Wheels, a Water Street restaurant, smoked the turkey while Thomason’s BBQ provided barbecue.
Another community partner, 4 Good Community, brought its bus and gave gifts to attendees, Thomas said.
Thomas said the free community meal is welcomed by many, and for some it helps during a time when help is necessary.
“This is something that is needed and needed more,” Thomas said.
Thomas said the event is one that reminds the community of what we are called to do, which is be the “hands and feet of Jesus.”
