Open Arms and Mama's Arcade serve a banquet-sized Sunday lunch one carry-out container at a time
 

[April 27, 2020]   On Sunday, Mama's Arcade was the partner restaurant preparing meals that were later handed out to families at a drive-thru free lunch at Open Arms Christian Fellowship.

Marci Eads and her helper Amy spent the morning preparing chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, and dessert enough for about 800 meals. The food was loaded in bulk in the back of a truck and taken to OACF, where church volunteers put together carryout containers for pick-up.

On this day, the line of cars coming for food started early and soon was backed up onto Woodlawn Road in front of the church. Church volunteers worked double-time and got meals outside on the tables early so that they could start handing out boxes and relieve the congestion on Woodlawn.

In addition to the food that was picked up, carry out meals were prepared and delivered to local first responders and front line workers. Deliveries went to the local law enforcement, fire, and paramedic offices as well as to local nursing homes, the 911 dispatch center, and Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital.

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The staff at Mama's and volunteers at the church have a genuine love and concern for the community. That love reflects in the pleasure they take in being able to provide meals for so many. Even with their masks on, one can see the smile on the faces of the volunteers as they hand out meals and hear so many sincere 'thank you's' from the recipients.

The church would like to continue serving the free Sunday lunches, but for the coming weekend, they do not yet have a partner restaurant. If you are a restaurant owner that would like to get involved and have the ability to prepare food for about 800 people, please contact Pastor Larry Crawford at the church.

Restaurants are paid for their efforts. The church is doing the free lunches with a two-fold purpose; to help the community and also to help our local economy by supporting local restaurants.

[Nila Smith/Karen Hargis]