By M. Warren – Since 2014, Church of the Crucifixion Catholic Church and the Edward Waters University Schell-Sweet Community Resource Center have shared resources and provided a Thanksgiving feast to more than 600 needy Jacksonville families.
Each year, Marie Heath, Director of the Schell-Sweet Center, identifies 60 households in need of support and provides them with fresh turkeys, greens and sweet potatoes. Then, Church of the Crucifixion members donate dressing, cranberry sauce, bread, desserts and all the trappings to make a complete holiday meal. Marguerite Warren, a member of Crucifixion’s outreach committee, said this project is simply a labor of love and a gesture of gratitude.
“When Marie [Heath] and I started this collaboration more than a decade ago, we simply wanted to do some good in the community during the holidays. We are overjoyed at how many people have been positively impacted since then.”
According to Heath, the Thanksgiving partnership is more important than ever. Requests for help have grown. And the Schell-Sweet Community Resource Center – a social services site that provides cultural, educational, medical, psychological and social assistance – continues to expand its reach.
“Thanks to amazing partners like Humana Health, more volunteers have become involved. It’s great to see the energy and excitement around helping others in need.” Laura Jones, a recipient of one of the Thanksgiving meals, added, “I am a senior on a fixed income. This dinner is truly a blessing to my family.”