BELLIES AND SOULS FED AT THE 31ST ANNUAL THANKSGIVING LOVE FEAST

Bellies and souls were fed during the 31st annual Thanksgiving Love Feast on Thursday at the Rome Civic Center.  This traditional Thanksgiving meal was offered to anyone in need.

Reverend Terrell Shields, Chairman of the Concerned Citizens of Rome and Floyd County, states that he and the volunteers at the Love Feast were driven to serve others by love.

Shields’ daughter Terrica, the inspiration for the first-ever Love Feast over 30 years ago, felt ‘wonderful’ to assist with the meal again in ’19.  She muses that it’s a family tradition.

This year, guests were invited to be seated so that they could be served by the volunteers.  Shields asserts that this was so that guests would not have to wait in line for their food.

Lynn Rousseau, the Executive Director of Hospitality House, was among the volunteers who assisted with the Love Feast.  She says that it was great to see the community come together to help others.

Wendy Davis, Rome City Commissioner, also volunteered to lend a helping hand.  She indicates that it brings her joy to serve the community.

Attendees of the Love Feast also got to pick up some warm winter coats and clothing that had been donated by community members.  Children were given a chance to take home stuffed animals which had been donated by Darlington students. The stuffed animals were gathered by seventh-grader Alli Robinson.    This was the second year of the “Stuffed with Love” initiative.  It warmed the heart of Alli’s father, local businessman Wayne Robinson.

People of all ages assisted with the ’19 Thanksgiving Love Feast.  Youngster Tiny Owens was motivated to volunteer by her family (as Reverend Shields, creator of the event, is her grandfather).

Financial contributions are still sought to offset the cost of the event.  If you would like to make a donation, make a check payable to ‘Thanksgiving Love Feast’ and send it to P.O. Box 161, Rome, GA 30161.