By Genia Woods aka Mz Good Newz

For the Salisbury Post

There are many ways to show appreciation for veterans that have made and continue to make sacrifices to serve of our country.

Did you know that there are many businesses and restaurants that offer discounts and free meals to our veterans on Veterans Day?

Yes, that’s right and some people and businesses extend their gratitude beyond just that one day. One of these places was Belly’s Soul Food Diner, located at 114 S. Salisbury Ave., Granite Quarry. Belly’s Soul Food Diner, found a way to celebrate and recognize the veterans and community members for the 8th annual time by way of The Gathering, an event inspired by Evangelist Mary Louise Smyre the mother of Belly’s Soul Food owner Linda Knight.

This past Sunday, Belly’s Soul Food Diner hosted The Gathering at the Salisbury YMCA.

“The YMCA was kind enough to donate a room totally free for 5 hours to help service the community,” Belly’s team member Marcel Bellamy said.

The Gathering served 125 people free, veterans and community members every hour from 1 to 5 p.m.

There were so many people from different walks of life who gathered together and fellowshipped such as the Livingstone College First Family — Dr. Jacqueline Davis and Dr. Anthony Davis.

“Well, hello, everyone,” Anthony Davis said. “Today is a great day. I am here at the gathering. What is the gathering? It’s a special community event sponsored by Belly’s Soul Food Diner. Man, the food was amazing, but the fellowship was just as rich. Listen, when you talk about community, Belly’s understands it because community stated by Coretta Scott King is that “you define community by the compassionate action of its members.” What a compassionate action feeding the community and veterans on this special weekend. Thinking about those who might not have. Belly said, hey, we’re going to come out and come to the gathering and have a great Sunday afternoon. Shout out again to Belly’s Soul Food Diner and their compassionate act of kindness here for this community. Hey, and I almost forgot. I’m Dr. Anthony J. Davis, the 13th president of Livingstone College. I have to ask you the question, Who Ya Wit? L.C.”

The smiles on the faces of the people that came into the YMCA for the gathering was so heartwarming.

When asked how they felt about the event one member of the McLaughlin family said, “Everything’s wonderful as usual. Y’all do a wonderful job. You represent what the community needs and that’s serving one another, loving one another. And by doing this event, that’s what you’re showing. OK. The food is lovely, the people are lovely, everything. So thank you. And y’all look so lovely.”