By Nicholas Gunn
This past Sunday, November 20, 2022, Pastor Jay Haynes, Sisters From Another Mother and the Benton Harbor Salvation Army decided to team up for what they called an ‘Early Thanksgiving.’
When asking Pastor Jay Haynes why he wanted to help put this event together, he said: “Because this is the holiday season we just wanted to give back to the community, and be a blessing to those who are probably less fortunate. So that’s what kinda encouraged us to go ahead and do this”
With this Early Thanksgiving being hosted at the Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen, they planned to feed over 150 members of the community who may be in need of a meal this year. Before the meal took place, participants were able to receive entertainment from singing and dancing alongside encouraging words from Berrien County Chief Judge Mabel Mayfield, Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey, Lieutenant Michigan State Trooper Jeremy Carlisle, Salvation Army Lieutenant Mario Bledsoe and Pastor Jay Haynes of 2nd Chance True Gospel Ministries.
Sisters From Another Mother volunteer Diane Young said “We had an awesome time 2nd Chance True Gospel Ministries, Pastor Jay, Sheriff Bailey, Judge Mabel Mayfield, Sisters From Another Mother, and the State Troopers came together for a community Thanksgiving dinner and it was such a blessing to have good food with fellowship.”
Photo of Sheriff Paul Bailey, Trooper Jeremy Carlisle and Judge Mabel Mayfield serving food together at Benton Harbor Salvation Army Soup Kitchen.
Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey said he came out to volunteer because “I wanted to come out just to support the community. It’s Thanksgiving, it’s time to give back and show a lot of love. This is a great city and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
Berrien County Chief Judge Mabel Mayfield said she wanted to attend this early Thanksgiving event because “I wanted to come serve and to share with people and encourage their thankfulness. Because we are all blessed in different ways. As I shared with everyone earlier, we are blessed with hope. I don’t care where you are, as long as you have hope that means that everything that you don’t have and more is still available. Thankfulness is something we really need in our community, especially with our young people, just for the opportunities that life offers and what we still have.”
In conclusion of the ‘Early Thanksgiving’ Benton Harbor Salvation Army Lieutenant Mario Bledsoe reported their men’s shelter was able to host gentlemen who came in the quest of shelter as well.
To find out more on services the Salvation Army is providing in Southwest Michigan visit Benton Harbor Salvation Army.
