By Staff
Kim West
PHIL CAMPBELL – This year's Thanksgiving meal will be served in a different location, but hungry Franklin County residents can still rely on Mountain View Baptist Church to provide traditional holiday fixings to anyone who wants a plate at no cost Thursday.
Mountain View, which has 500 members, has been sponsoring a free holiday meal since 2003. In the past, the church held the event at the Chat 'n Chew restaurant across from Phil Campbell High School, but this year the meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, which is located at 2110 Hwy. 81.
Planning for the event started in October, and nearly 30 congregation members will assist with the meal, which requires volunteers from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for cooking, cleaning and deliveries.
"We do this because Thanksgiving is a holiday we spend with our family, and there are people out there that don't get to spend it with their family," said Angie Parker, church secretary for Mountain View. "This meal is a blessing in itself, and we have a variety of people at our church who volunteer to help with the meal because they see the need to have this.
"We see almost the same people every year, and our church members get so excited about this holiday and this event."
In 2007 Mountain View either served or delivered 422 plates, which include turkey and dressing, a variety of traditional side items, roll, dessert and a drink.
"The number of plates we serve usually goes up (each year)," she said. "We're expecting 400 to 450 plates this year, and it could be more depending on need in the community."
Pre-registration is not required for the meal, and delivery is available by calling the church office at (205) 993-4610 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
"They can come and register the day of the meal," Parker said. "We deliver to shut-ins – all they have to do is just call the church office and tell me how many plates they need."
For residents living near northern Franklin County, they also have the option of eating at Jen's Caf