|
By Mark Bivens
In a strange way, Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita blew some goodwill into the city of Malvern.
Now, four years later the Fourth Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be something for the less fortunate of the area to look forward to — and even something for each and every member of the community to be excited and proud about. When those deadly hurricanes forced people to flee Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, many made their way inland to Arkansas, seeking shelter and comfort from the devastation they left behind on the Gulf Coast. There were families and individuals with literally not much more than the clothes on their backs. Thanksgiving is no time to have to worry about where your next meal is coming from. Jan Edwards, at that time the pastor of First United Methodist Church, and John Allan Funk brainstormed and decided to step-in and do what they could to make Thanksgiving just what it is intended to be — a time of thanks — not a time to worry about hunger or any other hurdle life might present. They decided to organize a Thanksgiving dinner for refugees from the storms, or for anyone in need of a meal. No longer is the feast for refugees, most, if not all, of which have returned home. It is now for the community. There are still needy. Funk said he enjoys making the rounds among the diners at the event, serving them and introducing himself. Last year he saw a man sitting and eating alone. Funk approached him. The man told Funk he was living under an overpass in the area. “It made my heart swell,” Funk said. “I don’t want to target any particular group. It’s something to pay back for the good this town has done for me.” Funk estimates the first year 300 people were fed. The second year hosted as many as 350 and last year 300 to 400 enjoyed a meal. “Every year we prepare for 500 people,” Funk said. “I hope we have enough for everybody with none left over.” “The event has been made possible by donations from area businesses and individuals. ” For the attendees, it’s just a matter of enjoying the atmosphere in the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall and the fine food, which includes turkey and dressing, green beans, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls, desserts and drinks. “Last year there were 100 volunteers,” Funk said. “This doesn’t cost anybody anything to eat.” The Fellowship Hall will seat 300 at a time, meaning as the line moves through, seating won’t be a problem. This will be current First United Methodist Church pastor Steve Wingo’s first time around co-hosting the Community Dinner. Glenda Holmes has been a longtime volunteer. Volunteers are still needed. Call Funk at 332-4625. Volunteers have come from all over. “We’ve had families from El Dorado, Benton, Hot Springs to help — just to be good neighbors,” Funk said.
|
