Church prepares to deliver Thanksgiving meals
PHIL CAMPBELL – Mountain View Baptist Church will serve its annual Thanksgiving Benevolence Meal to residents a tradition Pastor Sammy Taylor said has lasted at least 25 years.
Taylor said volunteers will begin serving at 11 a.m., first delivering 125 plates to the local jail before reaching neighborhoods, housing projects and apartment complexes in Phil Campbell, Hackleburg, Bear Creek and Haleyville.
Meals include smoked turkey breast, dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes, pound cake and rolls.
Volunteers sometimes discuss whether to include ham, but turkey and dressing remain a staple.
Taylor said community members can dine in, pick up meals, or request delivery within a 15-mile radius.
“All someone needs to do is call and leave their name, address and how many plates they need — up to five — and we’ll make sure it gets to them,” he said.
Drinks are provided to those who eat at the church.
“We just don’t have time to call everyone back, so it’s important for callers to leave all of their information,” Taylor said.
About 40 volunteers help staff the event, working in the kitchen and on an assembly line to package meals.
“Those trays come down the line, somebody puts in dressing, another puts in turkey, and then they’re boxed for delivery,” Taylor said. Apartment managers access sign-up sheets to collect room numbers, names and plate requests, which helps coordinate deliveries efficiently.
Taylor said leftover plates are offered to anyone in need, including residents at various area projects.
He said Thanksgiving has become his family’s tradition as well.
“My wife and I have spent our Thanksgiving meal here for 25 years,” he said. “It’s a special time of year. It’s about being thankful and sharing the blessings we’ve received. We want people to know they’re thought of.”
To request a meal or to help, Taylor asks residents to call Mountain View Baptist Church at 205-993-4610 before Thanksgiving and leave their name, address and number of plates needed, up to five.
