On November 23, the Beltsville Adventist Community Center (BACC) and volunteers from the community came together to participate in a joint service project. Those participants included our Prince George’s County District One Councilman, Tom Dernoga, his office staff, volunteers from Beltsville SDA Church, and the Department of Corrections. Together they prepared 550 Thanksgiving Turkey baskets to be distributed to low-income households in Prince George’s District 1. These households had signed up with a variety of community-based organizations, so they would be able to experience the food and joy this season brings. Each household received a bag with a 14-pound turkey and another bag with all the ingredients for a full Thanksgiving dinner. The food was purchased with money obtained from a grant given to BACC by Councilman Tom Dernoga and At-Large Council Member, Calvin S. Hawkins, II for this special service project.
The food was then taken to the areas listed below by other volunteers that had been contacted by District one staff members.
-
Laurel Lakes Seniors
-
Eisenhower Middle School
-
Calverton Elementary School
-
Selborne House (Seniors citizens)
-
Park View Seniors (Seniors citizens)
-
Frances Fuchs Early Childhood Center
-
James E. Duckworth Reginal Center (Elementary School)
-
Patrons For Peace
-
Buck Lodge Middle School
-
Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services
-
Bond Mill Elementary School
-
James Harrison Elementary School
-
Oakland Elementary School
-
Cherokee Lane Elementary School
-
Laurel Elementary School
-
Deer Field Run Elementary School
-
Vansville Elementary School
-
Montpelier Elementary School
-
Beltsville Academy
-
The District 6 Police – Explorers
-
Beltsville Adventist Community Center
-
Other households in Laurel Area
Beginning in 2016, BACC was granted $5,400 for this Thanksgiving service project which initially fed 300 households. Each meal is designed for a family of up to eight people and includes; a turkey, stuffing, bread, vegetables, gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and sweet yams and rice. Today that amount has increased to $20,000 to feed 550 households. We are grateful for the partnership and generosity of our local government community leaders and their staff.
Written by Nesco Lettsome Jr., BACC Manager
