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200 Homeless Eat Early Thanksgiving Dinner At Little Rock Baptist Church

About 200 guests attended the church's Annual Feast of Hope Tuesday.
Saint Mark Baptist Church
About 200 guests attended the church's Annual Feast of Hope Tuesday.
About 200 guests attended the church's Annual Feast of Hope Tuesday.
Credit Saint Mark Baptist Church
About 200 guests attended the church's Annual Feast of Hope Tuesday.

About 200 homeless and hungry Arkansans had a Thanksgiving meal Tuesday at Saint Mark’s Baptist Church in Little Rock.

A church band played while guests ate Thanksgiving lunch. Volunteers handed out winter clothes.

"The survival kits consist of blankets, backpacks, sleeping bags for those who are out in the elements, hand warmers, gloves, hats and scarves," said Shayla McCullough, who works in outreach at the church.

Bernard Baker says he came for the Thanksgiving meal. He said he’s retired, lives alone, and can’t afford to make a nice meal.  

"They have nice giveaways and Thanksgiving dinners. I can't cook this much so this is good for me," he said. 

Volunteers also gave medical and legal help. The church is preparing a similar Christmas charity meal for late December. 

Copyright 2015 KUAR

Sarah Whites-Koditschek is a Little Rock-based reporter for Arkansas Public Media covering education, healthcare, state politics, and criminal justice issues. Formerly she worked as a reporter and producer for WHYY in Philadelphia, and was an intern and editorial assistant for Morning Edition at National Public Radio in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.