The South Arkansas community turned out in record numbers Saturday for the Sharion Bailey Whitlock Community Soul Food Dinner: Good Food for the Body and Soul, Part 2.
The event was presented by Meet Me at the Court and The Bailey Family as a follow-up to the annual community Thanksgiving soul food dinner of the same name -- which was held in November -- and by the end of the day, volunteers had handed out 505 meals, reported Veronica Bailey, president and CEO of MMC.
The SBWCSFD was held in the rear parking lot of the TAC House and plates were distributed in a drive-through format.
The event, which is free and open to the public, was set for noon but the opening prayer and food service began five minutes early as vehicles lined up along the North West Avenue entrance into the TAC House parking lot, said Bailey.
Food began to run out early in the afternoon but several MMC volunteers made repeat trips to local grocery stores to pick up more food and supplies, including to-go plates, to feed participants, Bailey said.
"We can't turn anybody down and say we're not going to serve anymore. It's not in my heart to say there's no more food left," Bailey said.
"M(r)s. Carolyn Norman, Mr. David Taylor and Mr. Vincent McDaniel made several trips to the grocery store for me and I was just thankful for that, for all the help that was poured into this community feeding, my staff and everyone."
Dinner plates were also delivered to those who were unable to make it to the event, including local residents with disabilities and nursing home residents.
Bailey said volunteers remained onsite until all food was served and they wrapped up the day at 5:15 p.m.
A total of 505 plates were served onsite and delivered around town.
"It's a record. You know last year (for the SBWCSFD), we did 400 plates. This year, last month, we did 400 plates. This is our first time to do a part two and we did 505 plates," Bailey said.
She said she was stunned and pleasantly surprised when MMC volunteer Valarie Smith reported the final count late Saturday night.
Bailey said participants came from El Dorado, Smackover, Urbana, Strong and Hampton.
Vehicles were filled with families, church youth groups and employees from local businesses and organizations, including the city of El Dorado, who picked up a hot soul food meal during their lunch breaks.
"Just to see the smiles on the faces as they came through and whole families -- parents with children, grandparents with grandchildren --, just to see them eat together, that means a lot to me," Bailey shared.
MMC members said they also appreciated those who offered encouraging words for the nonprofit community-service organization and people who made donations on the spot, including a woman who arrived with her children and presented a cash contribution.
"And she and I exchanged numbers. It was just a joy to meet so many different people. God blessed Meet Me at the Court with so many special things on yesterday." she said.
For Bailey, the SBWCSFD, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last month, takes on a more personal note.
The dinner, as with other MMC community events, is named for Bailey's sister,
Whitlock passed away following an illness in 2012. She was 51.
Bailey has said Thanksgiving was Whitlock's favorite holiday and each year, Whitlock prepared a "big ol'" holiday feast and opened her doors to "anyone who wanted to eat."
Bailey has also said her parents, the late Robert and Margie Bailey, instilled the importance of giving back to the community into her and her siblings and hosting a second community dinner this year is part of an effort to carry on their legacy.
"It's not about me. It's what God puts us in place to do and I know that's what my mother, daddy and Sharion and (late sister Glenda) want us to do," Bailey said.
"So, when it was heavily requested to do a second time, that's what I based it on and I had people tell me that since I started a part two, I've got to keep it up," she continued with a laugh.
For more information about MMC, call Bailey at 870-310-0391.
Over 500 free dinner plates were served by Meet Me at the Court volunteers on Saturday. (Matt Hutcheson/News-Times)