For twenty-one years, Aline Haynes has hosted a community Thanksgiving luncheon for those in need. She does this through her Abundant Life Outreach Ministry. Earlier this year, Haynes and her ministry helped to organize the funding to assist an elderly Louisville resident in procuring a new home after her previous home became unlivable. i
Haynes works full-time, yet she finds time to assist those in the community. She makes contacts with various businesses and organizations in order to assist those in need. Haynes’ ministry doesn’t take a day off; in fact, she spent her Thanksgiving feeding 139 families.
Aline enlisted multiple volunteers to gather with her at the Grace Christian campus to finalize preparing and packing the meals for those families. Haynes says everyone met at the school very early that morning, but that everyone was full of “smiles and lots of love.” “We worked hard to get everything set up before time to start picking up the meals at 8:00 AM.” Haynes expressed gratitude to multiple churches, including South Louisville and Wess Chapel for the use of their facilities; she also noted that Coach Troyer at GCS “going the extra mile to make everything convenient for our use.”
The meals consisted of a ham or turkey, dressing, green beans, corn, rolls, and a dessert. “Many of the recipients responded by saying how thankful they were to receive the meal,” noted Haynes.
“This year has been another great year for my ministry. Thanks to each of you who so generously bless this ministry. It wouldn’t be possible without all of you pulling together to share so much love,” Haynes said, gratefully.
Haynes said that she wanted to give a special thanks to all the churches, businesses, and individuals who provided funding to make the event possible. She also thanked her personal staff: Inez Harrington, Pam Triplett, Deberne Kelly, Hanet Jackson, Jkhari Darden, Cornelius Jackson, Ida Nicholson, Emily Ellison, Beau Ellison, Carl Hathorn, and LaShari Holman.
Multiple volunteers came to pick up meals to distribute to various church and community members: Mike Perkins, Jolene Johnson, Willie Ball, Jean Harper, Penny Crowson, Norris Suttle, Carol Swain, Daphne Partridge, Betty Charlton, Willie Dean Miller, Eugene Ammons, Martha Caperton, Mary Kelly, Emma Smith, She Parker, and Sally Johnson. Haynes added that one pair – a grandmother and her granddaughter – came together to assist those in need: Marjorie Coburn and Kaylee Lockett.
There were also multiple volunteers from the local schools (Noxapater, Eiland Middle School and Louisville) who came to volunteer.
Haynes called upon local businesses to help provide the meats and sides, and they responded cheerfully. This includes Vowell’s Market Place and the Piggly Wiggly of Louisville. The Robert Higginbotham Chapter of the Turkey Federation donated 25 turkeys. These turkeys were donated in honor of Mr. Robert Higginbotham, for whom the Federation is now named.
Walmart also donated some products to the effort.
She also noted that many individuals made and donated homemade desserts for the event.
To those who assisted in the luncheon, Haynes expressed her most heartfelt thanks: “May God bless you this holiday season!”
