The holiday giving spirit was on display Wednesday at Helping Hand Mission in Raleigh, where volunteers baked turkey and other treats and packed hundreds of boxes to gift to needy neighbors.
The group was committed to filling bellies and hearts ahead of Christmas. In addition to hot meals, the mission handed out toys and clothing and Christmas Eve. The Helping Hand Mission Band performed holiday music to add a festive flair.
“We cook with love. Anytime we cook, we cook with love,” said Tamiko Jackson.
She was drawn to spend her Christmas Eve helping others because of the need she sees in the community year-round.
“Every day someone is going homeless,” she said. “To be able to provide them a hot meal, at least once a day during this holiday, is great because it shows them someone is caring about them.”
Church groups from across the Triangle joined the effort. Pastor Jonathan Jenkins led a group from Karpos Family Ministry. He said they were, “just meeting people as they come in, giving them literature to let them know that Jesus loves them and that we love them as well.”
In Durham, women and children at the Durham Rescue Mission Good Samaritan Inn campus enjoyed a Christmas Eve brunch Wednesday, along with a religious service, gift distribution and a gingerbread house contest.
On Christmas Day, alumni of Healing Transitions recovery program will rise early to serve the men and women currently working toward their own addiction recovery. They will get a cooked breakfast along with gifts of gloves, socks and hygeine items.
A Christmas meal will be served to all comers beginning at 11 a.m. in Raleigh’s Moore Square.
And the Durham Rescue Mission’s annual Christmas celebration begins at 8 a.m. at the men’s shelter on East Main Street.
Dining and Cooking