Some people might forget the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s about more than arguing over politics with distant relatives, watching the Cowboys football game and eating a big bird. Itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s about being giving thanks for loved ones and giving to others.
Cooking and serving a meal on Thanksgiving Day to members of her community is something Jennifer King, owner of the Water Well Cafe, said is biblical.
òòò½ÊÓƵœAs a Christian, I am called to serve. Some people have nowhere to go for the holidays. Come and sit with someone, serve a meal or share a meal and spend time with people,òòò½ÊÓƵ King said.
On Thanksgiving Day, Water Well Cafe and the Salvation Army, along with a team of volunteers will serve a homecooked Thanksgiving meal to over 1,000 people. From 11 to 1 p.m. at the Salvation Armyòòò½ÊÓƵ™s dinning room, residents are invited to share a meal with new friends, free of charge. A feast consisting of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans and dessert. Over 35 volunteers will hop in their cars and deliver meals to residents as far as Bloomington.
òòò½ÊÓƵœThere are people here who have giving hearts, they just donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t know where or how to help,òòò½ÊÓƵ King said.
At least 300 meals will be delivered to homebound residents in nursing homes, apartment complexes and even essential workers like nurses. Last year at the Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Water Well Cafe, along with First Baptist Church, a team of volunteers served over 1,200 meals. This year, Kingòòò½ÊÓƵ™s restaurant has partnered with the Salvation Army for the first time to deliver, serve and hand out meals to the community.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI want this to be bigger next year, I want to be able to serve 10,000 meals,òòò½ÊÓƵ King said.
For four years, King has spent Thanksgiving Day serving meals to others as a way to give back to the community and embrace humanity.
òòò½ÊÓƵœPeople are really struggling right now,òòò½ÊÓƵ King said.
King has always stayed behind the scenes when it comes to helping others. What she wants to do is focus back on the organizations in town like the Salvation Army.
òòò½ÊÓƵœItòòò½ÊÓƵ™s great when these organizations are able to come together and reach more people. And by focusing on them, people will know where to go if theyòòò½ÊÓƵ™re in need,òòò½ÊÓƵ King said.
For her, love conquers all, Love is pages and pages of names and phone numbers of people who are volunteering their time to serve a homecooked meal to others in the community on Thanksgiving Day.
òòò½ÊÓƵœWhen the community comes together, itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s a beautiful thing,òòò½ÊÓƵ King said. òòò½ÊÓƵœI love seeing people so ready and willing to help, especially during the holidays when no one should be alone or forgotten.òòò½ÊÓƵ
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