Cemal Richards sped around River City Church in Vancouver on a cold, cloudy Thanksgiving morning, bringing warm food boxes to the automobiles that were waiting in the parking area. There was no other place he would have preferred to spend the holiday, as evidenced by his beaming smile.
“Being here is a big deal,” Richards remarked. Many people are deprived of the chance to assist others. Additionally, the one act you do for someone could be what keeps them going for the remainder of the holiday.
Hundreds of individuals drove into the church parking lot or went through the doors between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. A homemade tamale lunch consisting of rice, beans, chips, salsa, and pumpkin empanadas was served to each new arrival.
Melody Finn, director of operations at River City Church, described the Fourth Plain corridor as an international district in Vancouver. The diverse population of the area is reflected in this year’s meal.
According to Finn, we made the decision to create something distinctive and out of the ordinary. Additionally, tamales appear to be unique. They’re not something you order every day.
About fifty volunteers, including Richards, who grew up in Oakland and became passionate about assisting others, are essential to the event.
According to him, my family banded together to distribute toiletry bags to the homeless. We used to visit Stockton, a sizable homeless encampment in downtown Oakland. They were ecstatic and all that as we went around chatting to individuals and handing out toiletry items.
Richards knew it was an event he wanted to repeat when he relocated to Vancouver. He said that River City Church’s Thanksgiving meal program was the ideal way to give back to the community.
Cemal Richards serves food to patrons in the parking lot of River City Church.Profenna Chiara
When it first opened five years ago, the church hosted Thanksgiving dinners while another organization supplied the food, starting a tradition. To address what it perceived to be an increasing need, the church started the event itself around three years ago.
According to Finn, we discovered that there weren’t many Thanksgiving Day dinners available in Vancouver, and that’s when the demand is highest because individuals don’t have anywhere to go.
Since then, it has only gotten larger every year. After nearly running out of food, organizers decided to increase the amount of dinners to 600 from just 400 the previous year.
Families and individuals were already crowded into the dining area an hour into the service.
A family eats together in the dining room of River City Church while occupied with the complimentary coloring pages that are available.Profenna Chiara
Alicia Sizemore, Carol Watson, and Heather Madewell were seated at one of the long tables. They expressed gratitude for the chance to celebrate the holiday with others, just like many other guests.
“I was homeless not long ago,” Watson remarked. I was homeless on these streets, but I’m now in recovery at the Samaritan House. Thus, coming here is truly a blessing. It was all so wonderful.
Sizemore, a New Life Recovery Services program coordinator, has frequently collaborated with the church as a community partner. As a guest, she noted that witnessing volunteers unite to support those battling addiction, depression, and homelessness highlighted the strength of community.
According to Sizemore, connection is the antithesis of addiction. I’m thankful that I’m in a long-term recovery and that there are still people out there that want to help others. I am appreciative of my family.
Sizemore’s thoughts were echoed by Madewll.
“I am thankful for my current housing,” Madewell remarked. I’m thankful for my recuperation and good health. I am thankful for the faithfulness of my God.
As they moved through the dining area, church volunteers brought food and beverages to each patron while stopping to chat with each person they served. According to Finn, the core of the service was treating individuals with respect and decency.
According to Finn, there are many homeless people without a place to live. If it makes sense, they enjoy being allowed to come in and receive some food and attention. It’s simply a lovely time for the community to unite and bless those who are less fortunate.
From left to right, Alicia Sizemore, Carol Watson, and Heather Madewell enjoy a happy Thanksgiving Day together.Profenna Chiara
Finn expressed her gratitude for the chance to foster community and spread her faith over the Thanksgiving holiday, adding that River City Church has a lot more service events planned for the future.
“Aside from continuing to be a bright spot on the Fourth Plain corridor, I don’t know if I have any particular hopes,” Finn remarked.
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Chiara Profenna discusses faith, religion, and cultural ties. You may contact her at [email protected] or @chiara-profenna on BlueSky, or 503-221-4327.
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