Patrick Ervin
patrickervin@ddtonline.com
Expressions of Christian charity materialized in the form of a delicious meal at the corner of Highway 82 and Cedar Street on Sunday June 25. People looking for a hot meal happened across a group of people who are related, attend the same church and just want to pool their passion for service into a new effort called, “Any Giving Sunday.” “This is the third event of this kind that we have had, “said Tynechia Lewis. “We all either have nonprofits or businesses and we decided to pull together to serve our community.”
According to Lewis, Grace Foundation, All 4 Purpose, Taylor’s Table, B.A.S.S. (Book and Street Smart) and Delta Snow have been working together to serve underserved communities in this new collective effort. “We are all church members at Grace Tabernacle,” said Saletho Perez, executive director of B.A.S.S. “Our goal is to find different ways to serve our community. We may do so through providing clothing, giving away furniture and serving hot meals.”
On this particular Sunday, the group along with mother and daughter business owners Stacy Grace and Jada Gear teamed up to provide a delicious meal that consisted of lasagna, green beans, corn and dinner rolls. Most of the patrons in the community know Gear and Grace from the Delta Snow refreshments and cool treats business where Grace’s younger daughter, Kennadi also helps run the business. This “Giving Sunday” was not about making a profit. “One of the first things that we hear from people who receive free meals is, ‘What’s the catch?’” Lewis said. “Hunger and lack of access to good nutritious meals are more prevalent than you think. Even here in the Delta we live in a food desert where people are unable to get access to healthy food not only because of income limitations but also because of lack of transportation and distance from grocery stores.”
The group envisions being able to do these type events more frequently and committing to doing them at least monthly in the short term. They are also delving into their respective networks to get more community-minded people involved in the process. Jada convinced four of her friends who are also Army National Guard soldiers to volunteer to serve on Sunday. “This is truly a ministry,” Perez. “And we are looking for more like-minded people and organizations to join us. We also take donations. For more information, call Perez at (662) 388-0674.
