CHARLOTTE — Thursday dinner preparations start early for St. Matthew parishioners who devote their time to the Serve Charlotte’s Homeless ministry.
On the fourth Thursday of each month, food preppers arrive around 3 p.m. to St. Matthew Church, preparing everything for the night’s hot buffet line that will feed about 150 of Charlotte’s homeless population at The Roof Above Day Services Center in Charlotte.
“We are not a non-profit. We are just a grassroots effort to help people,” said St. Matthew Parishioner Jeff Wilson, organizer of Serves Charlotte’s Homeless.
Wilson got involved with the program in 2012, when his daughter started serving, and took over her role as coordinator when she moved to London.
“It truly changed my life, because now I am just a fanatic to make sure this happens each week,” Wilson said.
Wilson, crediting the Holy Spirit, said they have not missed their week yet.
The center, which usually closes at 4 pm, stays open late on their evenings. When the St. Matthew crew arrives, they quickly set up, piling generous portions of food on hundreds of paper plates. Across the room, the group sets up plastic takeout bags so guests can grab snacks for the upcoming week - peanut butter sandwiches, cookies, nuts, chips and granola bars.
When guests arrive, they are greeted with a friendly smile and a hot meal.
Emelio Echave, who has volunteered for 10 years, works the takeout line, placing chips and snacks into each person's bag.
“You meet some excellent folks that come to this meal and learn things about them,” said Echave. “People ask how are you going to feed the world? We are just trying to feed the people right here. You do what is in front of you and do the best you can with what you have.”
Each Thanksgiving, the Roof Above Day Service Center is closed. The Tuesday before, St. Matthew parishioners and the Serve Charlotte’s Homeless Ministry bring side dishes, drinks, desserts, and supplies to serve their friends at the annual Turkey Cook Off located at the McCreesh Place, a supportive housing community for transitional homeless. Food Lion supplies turkeys for the competition and residents roll-up their sleeves and spice up their entries, which then serve as the centerpiece for the feast that serves the community’s 90 residents.
— Lisa M. Geraci
