In the spirit of Thanksgiving, members of a local community organization enjoyed serving some hot meals.
The Friendly Trio Community Development Corporation recently held its Thanksgiving Meal and Food Bag Distribution event. Under the leadership of President Charles Strickland, the mission of the Friendly Community Development Corporation is to bring unity to the community through strength, support and service. Food bags are distributed every third Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Friendly Community Center, 75 Hanson Road, Clinton. Bags are filled with fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy products. Officials hope people receiving the bags will benefit from the five nutritious food groups.
“Since it was close to Thanksgiving our mission was to do a Thanksgiving meal,” Strickland said. “Some of these people have been coming out for five or six years. By the grace of God, we’ve been able to sustain our endeavors to make it happen.”
A hot meal, served by volunteers, was sponsored by The Friendly Trio Community Development Corporation with help from United Way of Sampson County and North Carolina Cooperative Extension of Sampson County.
Sydney Johnson, area agent for Sampson County Cooperative Extension, made a presentation about nutrition basics, shopping in the grocery and saving money. She appreciates the work of the organization when it comes to food distribution.
“I think it’s really awesome,” Johnson said. “I think there’s a lot of need in the community.”
Johnson provided a few recipes to help the group and recipients.
“They get these food bags and they don’t know what to do with them,” Johnson said about learning how to stretch a meal.
In addition to third Saturdays, Strickland said the community organization helps people throughout the year. In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, 154 dinners were distributed to Clinton Crossing and Clinton Courtyard.
“This is what we’re about. We’re trying to help the community,” he said about helping people in need.
The organization began about a decade ago. One of the first groups served was Butler Court. Strickland said a resident’s situation crushed his heart.
“There was a lady there who didn’t have food for three days,” Strickland said. “That just let me know that (distributing meals) is what we’re supposed to do.”
