The week before Thanksgiving, the Christ Church campus was filled with the sounds of tape dispensers, laughter, and the steady rhythm of people working side by side. For many in our congregation, Thanksgiving Outreach is the moment that signals the start of the holiday season—a cherished tradition where families of all ages come together to serve their neighbors in need.
“This is a major event where congregants of all ages take active roles from building and stacking empty boxes to loading trucks with groceries and turkeys,” said Jeff Reaves, coordinator of the Thanksgiving Outreach initiative. “For many families at Christ Church, this is the number one way to kick off the holiday season. They look forward to packing the boxes.”
This year, through God’s provision and the generosity of the congregation, 1,000 nourishing meals went to households across Plano, Allen, and South Dallas. Through a combination of boxed meals, grocery gift cards, and bulk food deliveries, volunteers ensured that families facing hunger could gather around a full Thanksgiving table.
More than 200 volunteers gave their time in the days leading up to the event—building and stacking empty boxes, unloading trucks from Market Street, sorting fresh produce, prepping the Fellowship Hall, and stocking rows of long tables with dry goods, fruit, and Thanksgiving staples. On Sunday, November 23, volunteers packed hundreds of boxes and then loaded vehicles for delivery partners across the region.
Each meal box represented far more than groceries. Inside were potatoes, onions, rice, beans, apples, oranges, dry goods, and a turkey—enough to feed a family of six a complete Thanksgiving meal. But what volunteers handed out, and what families received, was something deeper: the reminder that they are seen, known, and beloved.
Thanksgiving Outreach continues to grow because of the faithful participation of our church family—those who donate, those who volunteer, and those who pray. Together, we are mobilizing the abundance God has given us to bless our neighbors with hope, dignity, and a place at the table.
