(LAWRENCE CO.) – Despite a different format this year, Bertha’s Mission Community Thanksgiving served more than 1,600 meals through five locations and delivery service this year.
This will make the eighth year for the event, despite COVID-19 threatening to cancel the event. The event was pulled off thanks to the hard work of several community members and businesses making it a success.
“Normally the event would be held at the First Baptist Church in Bedford. We were seriously considering canceling the event but Tim Thompson suggested a drive-thru event and we went to the board and the five churches helped us be able to hold the event throughout the county,” said Janice Pendergrass of Bertha’s Mission.
Smokin Jim’s cooked the turkey and hams and the Bedford Veterinarian Clinic offered coupons of Nex-Guard for those donating turkey or hams.
Walmart donated 25 turkeys and 25 hams, Stonebridge donated 12 turkeys, and Golden Corral and Magic Morning Bakery donated rolls. Outback Steakhouse and Texas Roadhouse donated rolls and Kroger Westside donated a $25 gift certificate towards the event.
Chelsey Colson, food service coordinator for Bertha’s Mission and Misty White, officer manager Bertha’s Mission worked to choreography the event.
John Storms helped deliver the 10 hams and 10 turkeys to each of the five locations. If a church was running low on food Misty White delivered more to them. A team, including Jim Sowders, delivered the meals to homes.
Frank and Kelsey Sullivan from AGAPE house helped at the Tunnelton location.
Number of meals served:
- First Baptist Church – 550 meals
- Sherwood Oaks Christian Church Bedford – 150 meals
- Mitchell First Church of God – 238 meals
- Heltonville Turning Point Church of Nazarene – 240 meals
- Lighthouse Baptist Church of Bedford Tunnelton Church – 150 meals
- Home Delivery – 279 meals
“In spite all the negative things surrounding things with COVID-19 this year, we turned this into a positive,” said Pendergrass. “We just want to thank the community for helping us put on this event and supporting us year after year. The Bertha’s Community Thanksgiving is for everyone to enjoy not for those that are less fortunate.”
“This was truly a team effort and we want to thank those volunteers who work hard and take the time from their day to help with this huge event,” Pendergrass concluded.
