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Pastor Larry Crawford of Open Arms Christian Fellowship and Matt Burgess of Home Sweet Home Ministries

Mission Mart raises $1,035 for Thanksgiving in Lincoln

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[November 23, 2013]  Friday morning, Matt Burgess of Home Sweet Home Ministries in Bloomington paid a visit to the Lincoln Mission Mart. He was there to deliver a check to Pastor Larry Crawford of Open Arms Christian Fellowship.

This year, Home Sweet Home Ministries, which owns Mission Mart stores in Lincoln and Bloomington, decided to change the way they offer assistance to local ministries. Each store offered shoppers an opportunity to purchase "Turkey Cards," with a promise that the money raised locally would stay in the community.

Burgess said Friday that making the change has been a very good thing, not only for Lincoln but for Bloomington as well. He said that with the promise that the money would be used locally, both stores doubled what they brought in this year compared with last year.

Crawford talked about how the money would be used. First, it will assist with the provision of a Thanksgiving meal this Sunday evening at the Open Arms church. Crawford said the church has sent out approximately 1,200 invitations to people in the community, inviting them to come and enjoy a free turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

He noted that last year was the first time his church had done this, and they served approximately 300 to 400 meals. He said he believes the number will grow significantly this year, and the church is planning for at least double.

In addition to the meal Sunday, Crawford said meals would be taken to those in need. Crawford said the churches in Lincoln are wonderful about working together to help meet the needs of the community. They do much of this through the local ministerial association, he said.

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All the churches in town have been contacted and asked to notify Crawford of any members in need who could benefit from a nice holiday meal. He added that he has a few on the meal delivery list right now and is expecting more as time passes.

As the check presentation came to a close on Friday, Crawford added that anyone who wishes to come to dinner Sunday evening is most certainly welcome.

The Open Arms church is at 311 Broadway St. in Lincoln. Serving will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday and run through 7 p.m.

 

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