(BEDFORD) – Several hundred people came to Bertha’s Mission at the First Baptist Church on Saturday afternoon for the annual Community Thanksgiving meal.
The normal Thanksgiving fixings were available – turkey, ham, mash potatoes, green beans, yams, macaroni and cheese, dressing, and cranberry sauce. The meal was served with drinks of tea and lemonade and a dessert to satisfy the sweet tooth.
During this year’s meal, a moment of silence was given for their volunteer Mother Sandy Young who passed away in October. Thanksgiving baskets and Lego were given away and Hilltop Pentecostal Church had a coat giveaway.
Music was provided by Riley Elise, Bedford North Lawrence Orchestra, and Joanna & Ed Cobb.
Several churches, businesses supported this year’s Community Thanksgiving including:
- First Baptist Church
- Duke Energy
- Bedford Walmart
- Attorney Scott Callahan
- Smokin Jim’s
- Barlettsville Christian Church
- Flynn & Sons Excavating, & Paving
- Southland Church of Christ Ladies
- Royal Toyota South
- Lions Club
- Lawrence County Community Foundation
- Bedford Veterinarian Medical Center
- Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints
- Kind in Action ( Brent Maudlin State Farm Insurance)
- Parkview Primary and Intermediate
- Fayetteville Elementary
- Stalker Elementary
- Hoosier Hills Credit Union.
On average, Bertha’s Mission serves between 60 to 100 free meals on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. In addition, on Wednesdays the mission delivers at least 130 meals to the elderly and disadvantaged.
Bertha’s Mission opened on September 17, 2013 and was an immediate success, serving 50 to 60 meals a day. Bertha’s Mission expanded to serve Mitchell residents in 2014 by opening up a second location there which closed in 2017.
The cooking, serving, and delivery programs continue to grow. Bertha’s Mission expects to serve between 20,000 to 25,000 meals in 2018.
