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BY NIC MILLER
STAR STAFF
nic.miller@elizabethton.com

Hunter Memorial Baptist Church in Stoney Creek is hosting a “Thanks-Giving Back” Dinner for those in need of a hot meal or warm company later from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 20.

“We have purchased enough food to where anyone that would not normally be provided with a Thanksgiving dinner can be provided one,” said Doug Hartley, pastor of the church. “We will either put as many meals as needed in a to-go box for you or if you would like to come in and sit down, we will have places for you to do that as well.”

This is the second year for the dinner. “We started this program last year and it was a great success. We thought about how great it is to be able to host an event like this and let people know that God loves them and their community loves them through this act of service,” Hartley said.

“It helps tremendously that we have one family in the church that love to cook not only for themselves but other people, so having them help out is a huge blessing in a ministry like this,” Hartley said.

Hartley said the program resonates with the volunteers as well as those who benefit from the meals.

“For me, it helps the church understand that life is about giving and not always getting. When you learn to give, it changes your life, as we are trying to be like Jesus who continually gave. The biggest thing for us is that we do not only want to be a church, but a light for those in need,” Hartley said.

Hunter Memorial Baptist Church is located at 599 TN-91 Scenic in Elizabethton.