For more than 20 years, low-income families of the Inner City have known the 16th Tabernacle Church of God and Saints of Christ on North Patrick Street as the “Little White Church on the Corner” that has helped them have a nice Thanksgiving. Every year, members of the Hebrew congregation prepare about 200 baskets for the surrounding low-income community in Alexandriaís Inner City neighborhood.
“We’ve been taught to show the world how to keep Thanksgiving,” said Pastor James Parker, evangelist. “That means sharing our blessings and coming to the aid of suffering humanity. Our goal is to spread hope and love throughout the community.”
Each of the 200 families will get a 20-pound turkey, two boxes of cornbread, two boxes of stuffing, two cans of fruit, two boxes of macaroni and cheese, one can of string beans, one can of sweet peas, one can of corn, a box of cake mix and a tin of frosting. The Washington Area Food Bank donated all the canned goods, giving 16th Tabernacle more than it had hoped for.
“As a result of their gift, we can put some extra goodies in the baskets like cans of mushrooms, soup and Spaghettios,” Sharon Cunningham, who helped organize the Thanksgiving basket operation this year. “We believe that Thanksgiving is also about service, and this is something that we are supposed to do as part of our spirituality.”
Founded by Williams Saunders Crowby in 1896, the Church of God and Saints of Christ believe that slaves of America were children of Israel. Its adherents consider Crowby a prophet, and their religion demands a service-oriented philosophy of giving. As a result, the annual Thanksgiving basket drive at 16th Tabernacle is one of the most important activities of the church’s calendar.
“One of my greatest pleasures is giving,” said Charmaine Ringwood. “So I am thankful for being in an organization like this that shows how to give unselfishly.”