The fifth annual Sharion Bailey Whitlock Soul Food Community Dinner: Good Food for the Body and Soul is set for noon Saturday and will pay tribute to those who serve the community and the community as a whole.
The event, which is sponsored by Meet Me at the Court and The Bailey Family, will be held at the TAC House, 1101 N. West Ave.
It is free and open to the public.
Organizer Veronica Bailey emphasized that admission for the event and food are free.
“That’s the one question we always get — how much is the food? It is all free. Everything we do is free,” Bailey said.
She said carryout plates will also be available, with youth members of Meet Me at the Court posted outside the TAC House to distribute plates to people who pull up in their vehicles.
“They will accommodate you on the outside. For people who can’t come in or who have may have problems climbing the stairs, come on anyway,” Bailey said. “We want everyone to get a good, hot, nutritious, healthy soul-food meal.”
The purpose of the dinner, which is held each November, is two-fold: to highlight the meaning of Thanksgiving and to honor the legacy of Whitlock, Bailey’s late sister who died in 2012.
“Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday. She loved to cook and for everyone to come to her house and eat,” Bailey said.
She said sponsors also wanted to continue a commendation that began by coincidence last year.
The soul food dinner honors those who serve the community, so it seemed fitting to incorporate another November holiday into the event.
As organizers began planning the 2017 dinner, they realized it would coincide with Veterans Day.
Consequently, the list of special honorees, which already included educators and community volunteers, was expanded to recognize military veterans and first responders.
U.S. Army veteran Reginald Holly has been named the 2018 Veteran of the Year and will be honored during the soul food dinner.
Holly enlisted in January 1985 and retired in March 2009 as a U.S. Army major-04.
During his tenure in the army, Holly served in support operations as an ordnance officer and was issued several appointments, including operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, 9-11 and Hurricane Katrina.
He was deployed to Iraq in 2008 - 2009. His commendations include the Kuwait Liberation, National Defense Service and Southwest Asia Service medals.
Holly serves on the Murphy Arts District advisory board, coaches Amateur Athletics Union basketball and organizes an annual basketball tournament.
A memorial tribute will be held for the late U.S. Navy veteran Thomas Smith II, who died in January 2017.
Smith was on the Founding Executive Committee of Meet Me at the Court and active in the local Stop the Violence campaign.
“Thomas Smith and his family were strong supporters of our school supply giveaway and Carnival of Love,” Bailey said.
“Even when he wasn’t feeling well, he would still come to Meet Me at the Court events, asking, ‘What can I do to help?’” she continued. “That’s what you would call dedication. He was so dedicated and compassionate to Meet Me at the Court.”
Bailey encouraged the community to attend the event to have a good meal and to give thanks.
“It’s our way to show our first responders, law enforcement, veterans, educators and the community that we appreciate everything you do. It’s the season of love and fellowship,” she said.
Tia Lyons may be contacted at 870-862-6611 or by email at tlyons@ eldoradonews.com.