INDIANAPOLIS — Thanksgiving is next week and two churches have opened the doors to their food pantries to make sure families in need have a turkey and all the trimmings for the holiday.
New Day Pentecostal Church gives away 200 baskets every year.
"Turkeys, they have corn, green beans, they have macaroni and cheese. They have mashed potatoes, they have cake mix, they have frosting. They have cranberry sauce. It will help them get started with a good meal," said First Lady Michelle Montgomery of New Day.
She said it fulfills the mission of their ministry.
"Our saying here is love God, love people," said Michelle.
Artie and Michelle Montgomery's church is located in Haughville on the west side of Indianapolis. They hope these meals bridge a gap in the community.
"In this environment it's low income, but we were blessed to be a part of this community," Artie said. "And not only be a part, and be a help."
One woman picked up a meal for her friend who had lost a daughter and said the food was exactly what her friend currently needs.
Christ Church Apostolic, located on the north side, partnered with the city of Indianapolis to feed 95 people. Associate Pastor Karen Perkins said they want to make sure the community knows they are here to meet needs in more ways than one.
"We are here not just for church services but to meet the community needs," she said. "Since this is a food desert here on the north side of Indianapolis, we want to meet that need to make sure our families are taken care of.
Taken care of and well fed.
New Day leaders say their food pantry is open on the second Saturday of every month.
On Monday, two more food distribution events by the city's Office of Public Health and Safety will take place. One will be held at the Lawrence Police Department from 3 to 5 p.m. The second is at the Stanley Strader Park Family Center from 4 to 6 p.m.
And on Nov. 27, the final OPHS giveaway is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. at Breeding Tabernacle CME Church.