STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Fellowship Baptist Church will host its annual ‘Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner’ event, serving a hot meal and distributing food baskets to members of the community on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 12 to 4 p.m. The church is located at 3036 Richmond Terrace.
The event marks the second year of a partnership between the church and the Staten Island Chapter of Jack & Jill of America Inc., a mothers’ organization focused on leadership development and community service.
“It is an opportunity to serve the people who are in need especially now because food insecurity is definitely a problem with the prices of food being so high and knowing that there are children who are benefiting from this really does bring so much joy and gratitude to my heart,” said Lajuana Archibald, community service chair for the Staten Island chapter of Jack & Jill of America and first lady of Fellowship Baptist Church.
Scenes from the 2024 Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner event at Fellowship Baptist Church.Courtesy Lajuana Archibald
Nikki Rosado, president of the Staten Island chapter, said last year’s event drew strong participation from families and volunteers. “I personally remember last year, a family coming over to me and saying how thankful they were. It just touched my heart,” she said.
The partnership aligns with Jack & Jill of America’s mission to support African American children through leadership development and community service. “We also really emphasize in making sure our children are learning and growing and feel empowered to overall be leaders,” Rosado said.
Archibald coordinates outreach to mothers in the organization to gather non-perishable items and spread the word about the event. Minister Josephine Worrell, president of the Missionary Ministry of Fellowship Baptist Church, is organizing and purchasing food for the distribution with help from the church.
During the holiday season, Fellowship Baptist Church feels responsible for contributing to the community, Archibald said.
“There are people who may not have access to a hot meal on Thanksgiving,” she said. “Oftentimes we take that for granted, those of us who have that ability.
“This would be a way to give a hot meal to someone who may not have it, that’s what we’re here for. We’re here to help in whatever capacity that we can.”
The community can support the effort by contributing funds to purchase food, donating baskets of non-perishable items, or providing fresh turkeys. Fellowship Baptist Church also serves hot meals every fourth Sunday through its community ministry.
“They are not alone and even though they may be having some hard times they can come to the church,” Archibald said.
Scenes from the 2024 Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner event at Fellowship Baptist Church.Courtesy Lajuana Archibald
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