GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — More than 2,000 people experiencing homelessness were expected to attend Mel Trotter Ministries’ annual Thanksgiving Day Community Meal on Thursday.
The free event was held at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. Meal prep began bright and early at 5 a.m., with hundreds of volunteers joining Mel Trotter staff members and community partners to cook and serve the meal. Service started at 11 a.m. and continued until 1 p.m.
Organizers said they planned to serve 400 turkeys, 2,400 pounds of potatoes, 3,000 dinner rolls and 700 pounds of green beans this year.
“Each year, the power of faith and kindness come together at this event so that we can provide food, comfort, and fellowship to people struggling to make ends meet,” said Chris Palusky, CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries, in a statement. “Our annual community meal is our largest event and one of our favorites because it allows us to fulfill our mission of demonstrating the compassion of Jesus Christ to our neighbors who are facing hunger and homelessness in West Michigan.”…