Thanksgiving Meals to Those in Need

Each November, Crucified Ministries distributes Thanksgiving meals to families in need. The ministry is spearheaded by Josh and Lindsey Knipple, members of Liberty Grace (Doug Black, pastor), a Charis Fellowship congregation in Johnstown, Pa.

Crucified Ministries is a year-round community outreach. During the winter months, Josh does ministry through skiing and snowboarding. This past summer, Crucified Ministries hosted several food drives at Liberty Grace. In partnership with the USDA and the nonprofit Blessings of Hope, they held six distribution days where they gave out 1,500 pounds of food to 600–700 vehicles each day.

For their Thanksgiving meal distribution, Crucified Ministries partners with Liberty Grace and other area churches such as Journey Church, Franklin Street UMC, and Portage Community Church. The churches compile a combined list of families in need of a Thanksgiving meal and establish a point person for each delivery location.The day before Thanksgiving, volunteers prepare a traditional holiday meal including turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and dessert. The meals are individually packaged and distributed in the afternoon.

Last year Crucified Ministries distributed meals to 125 people in 45 minutes. This year, thanks to 216 pounds of donated turkey, they are planning to distribute meals to 200 people. Pastor Doug Black, who volunteers with Crucified Ministries, said, “Distributing Thanksgiving meals seems like such a basic thing, but it meets a real need in the community.”

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This story appeared in GraceConnect eNews. To subscribe to the weekly e-newsletter that includes news and information from congregations in the Charis Fellowship, click here.