Thanksgiving meals served with a side of compassion

{Davidson Medical Ministries provided more than 70 meals to local families including first responders. Contributed Photo}

Several local groups joined together to not only provide turkeys, but so much more than that. They truly were warm meals with a side of compassion. According to the founder of Hugs Heal Thomasville and city council woman, Wendy Sellars, since COVID, the need has grown despite the fact that many local nonprofits and churches are struggling. She said collaborations between organizations make the difference in Davidson County.

Sellars, who teamed up with Davidson County Compassion Inspiring Action (C.I.A.) on multiple projects including preparing and delivering free Thanksgiving meals throughout Davidson County, rolled up her sleeves on Thursday morning. The mission was a partnership between C.I.A., Carolina Senior Care, Scout Metals Manufacturing Representatives Sales Agency and Davidson Local. The group provided more than 200 plates to the elderly, homeless and those who simply needed a warm meal for the holiday.

Thomasville City Councilwoman Wendy Sellars works alongside Davidson Local Co-Founder Kassaundra Lockhart work together to cut and wrap desserts prepared by C.I.A. volunteer Amber McGuire.

Sellars said delivering the meals warmed her heart. "It is so important to give back to the community you live in. The deliveries I made yesterday were to an elderly couple on Gore Court. The couple was so grateful for the dinner. We actually talked for about 30 minutes about life and the goodness of God. We prayed together and made plans to see each other again,” Sellars shared. “My other deliveries were to residents at the Thomasville Inn. There, I tried to contact the three individuals who contacted me about bringing them a plate but couldn't reach them due to phone numbers not being in service. I was able to just knock on doors and give out all ten meals to residents living there. I love giving back and serving my community; this is what I am called to do.”

This was the first year C.I.A. has provided Thanksgiving meals. 

For the third year, Davidson Medical Ministries has provided meals. This year, the group delivered approximately 70 meals on Thanksgiving Day that included Thomasville patients, water waste treatment personnel and first responders.

“I was fixing an enormous meal at home for friends and family, and decided I could do that for our patient family, having my friends and family serve those who would be alone and likely hungry,” Executive Director Sandy Morley offered. 

“Davidson Medical Ministries has always been about filling in the gaps, by bringing hope and healing to our community. This is another opportunity to give hope to our patients. We are family to our patients, our work family and community family supports them,” said Janise Hurley, executive assistant/marketing/IT/finance. 

“We are expanding our scope to have greater community impact daily and this is one of the most enjoyable and encouraging pieces of our expansion.”

Ruth Carr, a full-time caregiver to husband, Michael, and C.I.A. volunteer, was one of the recipients of the warm meals. “Yesterday meant the world to me. I got to see firsthand the love that was put into these meals,” she said. “I love to see my husband really enjoy something.” 

Ruth Carr with Compassion Inspiring Action Co-Founder Robert Miller. Miller, along with CIA director Jimmy Davis, were the primary organizers for one of the free meal events. Photo: Jamal Tahirkheli

The meals were prepared by community volunteers and included special touches such as pumpkin bread baked by Amber McGuire. Carr added, “And that pumpkin bread made him say ‘ummm ummmm’ with a smile. He said it was the best he ever ate. My heart was so warmed when I picked up our meals. The best part for me was the love all of you show in preparing these meals. We enjoyed our meal so much and there were no dishes to wash! My heart is overflowed with gratefulness.”