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Wlaf1450‘I think it’s a help not only to the community but to our church as well’- Marcus Gillum, Pastor
A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- The gesture of handing out containers filled with a free, hot Thanksgiving meal was started last year by Pastor Marcus Gillum and the members of the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. The tradition continued this year, last Friday, as meals were handed out and delivered from The Grand on Central. “Last year, the Lord put it on our hearts to reach out to the community, and let them see a little Jesus,” said Gillum.
“I’m headin’ out to O.D. Hill’s place. You know O.D. Don’t you?,” said June Bug Kitts. Kitts had meals loaded in his pick up truck and was leaving out to make a lot of deliveries when we caught up with him on Friday afternoon in the parking lot of The Grand on Central.
Kitts was hustling so his meals would be warm upon delivery. Each container was filled with ham and turkey along with mashed potatoes, green beans, a roll and dressing plus a desert. A bottle of water was also included.
“We want to reach as many folks as we can, let ’em know about the Good Lord and how good he is,” said the pastor.
“We figured we’d be a little bit busier on the heels of the government shutdown. Our church members cooked, baked and loaded more than 400 of these Thanksgiving dinners,” said Gillum.
“I think it’s a help not only to the community but to our church as well. We all work together. That’s kind ‘a what God’s word says, “Be one one mind, one accord.” It takes us all working together to try and reach the community,” said Gillum.
A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.
For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini at ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-11/24/2025-6AM)