Community Dinner History

HISTORY:

Our COMMUNITY DINNER MINISTRY was started by Dr. Irma Carmichael when she recognized the need for a feeding ministry in our community. She also wanted to provide an opportunity for relationship-building between our community guests and our church members and friends.  Vanessa Tolliver picked up the helm of this ministry following Dr. Carmichael and her goal was to provide two generous, healthy meals for our guests – one eat-in meal and one take-out meal. She established a rebate program with GFS and received a grant from the United Methodist Community Ministries program to help underwrite our dinner. She also went above and beyond in providing radical hospitality to our guests. Vanessa made herself available for rides, help with social agencies, doctor appointment assistance, nothing was too much for Vanessa. As a result our program grew rapidly. Deborah Mercer and Karen Saunders Ferguson continued the ministry after Vanessa gave it up and added Prayer and Praise moments involving our guests.