For over 40-years, Christians In Action has been feeding the homeless for Thanksgiving and this year is set to be bigger than ever before.
“Don Walker started Christians In Action when I started High School and my grand-grandparents, who helped him get his first building and get the program up and running, thought it would be a good idea for me to understand how blessed I was. They had me start helping serve the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals,” said organizer Melissa Wickersham.
This year, the annual Thanksgiving Lunch has been set for Tuesday, November 20th at the Paris Farmers Market in downtown Paris.
“We have recently added a ‘Warmth Table’ also. We did a study several years ago and asked the homeless what were some of their favorite things that they needed or wanted and socks were one of the number one items,” said Wickersham.
The ‘Warmth Table’ provides those in need with much-needed winter essentials like socks, gloves, hats, scarves, blankets and more.
“A couple of new pair of socks really rocks a homeless person’s world. With the blankets, they can lay on them, cover up with them, belt them around themselves to make a jacket, but they can also use them in the summertime for shade and they can wet them down and help cool themselves off.”
Everyone is welcome to the event who would like to have lunch or take a to-go meal.
“No one has to qualify for this meal. I do not need to know if you live in Lamar County if you have a median income, if you receive any kind of assistance. This is simply a meal to reach out to anyone in the community who needs a meal.”
There will also be a children’s table with crayons and coloring sheets, so parents can get the meals while the kids are entertained.
“God has always blessed us with sunshine and decent weather and we invite everyone to come down and join us.”
