By Karen Kistler

karen.kistler@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — On Saturday afternoon, members of The Reach Church were once again doing as their name says, reaching out to the community and providing them with a Thanksgiving meal.

Victoria Connor, who serves as the organizer of this special holiday ministry, noted that the meal was open to the entire community, with the word going out to all to enjoy the feast.

“We were inviting people from Kannapolis to Lexington. We really didn’t limit it. We just wanted to be a blessing to people,” she said.

Connor, who assumed the role of organizer following the passing of another lady, noted that the meal has been going on at the church for more than a decade.

As people arrived at the church, located on West Horah Street, a full traditional Thanksgiving meal prepared by church members awaited them.

Meals, which included both turkey and ham, dressing, green beans, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, yams, bread and a variety of desserts, were served inside the church, given out curbside for those unable to walk in, and some were delivered to homes of those who are sick and shut-in, Connor noted.

While the physical meal is available, this event also serves as a means to feed the community spiritually, she said.

“It’s like a two-sided thing,” Connor shared. “It’s a blessing that we are able to provide a safe place, a place where they can come feel the Lord, and we can feed them naturally and spiritually if they just need prayer or something.”

Some of the people who come and partake of this Thanksgiving tradition may not have family here, or some, she added, may be physically disabled or are experiencing financial troubles.

“So, it is just good to see that we are able to bless them,” Connor concluded.

Around 150-200 dinners have been served by the church each year, with those receiving the meals saying that they have been a blessing, noted Connor.

“This is wonderful,” said Gregory Grant Jr., after enjoying one of the meals.

And it’s not just those who receive who felt grateful, but those serving who likewise felt blessed by being a part of the day.

Grant, who serves as the bass player at the church and a chef who helped with some of the cooking, said he believes ministry goes beyond the church walls.

“It’s about community, it’s about togetherness, it’s about bringing everybody in one spot and being able to have everybody from all walks of life just come over and just get a plate,” Grant said.

Several of those who helped by dishing up the food likewise expressed their gratitude to be present for the day as Gwen Parsons said, “serving to me is something that I really enjoy doing because no matter how big or small it is, it’s just all about that other person.”

This act and day is “being able to show your gratitude to others,” shared Ebonee Bailey. “It’s an act of service as Jesus did. It’s being his example.”

Desere Wright said she remembered being fed by the community at some point in her life and therefore was “just glad to be here to help out, to give back, doing the work that Jesus wants us to do.”

Giving appreciation to give back was echoed by Jackie Thompson as she expressed why being there was important to her, along with being able to “carry on the tradition that I was raised on.”

Joy Jackson said the day was about serving, “whether serving food or serving the church.”

Community members come that one day for the meal, but they are encouraged to return for worship services at The Reach, which are held on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Bradley Taylor is the senior pastor of the congregation.

Those attending the dinner are also given a card with contact information that they can reference to later in case they need help or have a prayer concern, Connor shared.

Being able to reach people in the capacity that they are able is the aim of The Reach, shared Tramika Taylor, the first lady of the church, “and today it just happens to be in the manner of food. We are just very grateful that we could have served the community for so many years. It is our joy, it is our heart, it’s who we are.”