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By Lisa Tindell

A small army of volunteers worked to make sure those most vulnerable had a hot meal on Friday.

Lisa and Freddie McMillan, owners of Drexel & Honeybees Donations Only Restaurant, were joined by members of the Zion Fountain AME church in preparing plate meals for sick, disabled and others who are shut in.

“We prepared plates for 144 people,” Lisa said. “These are people who are sick or otherwise unable to get and prepare meals for themselves. We don’t know the conditions folks are in right now and this is just one way we can help.”

Lisa said that her restaurant usually serves about 100 people each day they are open. The restaurant is currently closed to the public under the current health crises.

“This is the most plates I’ve ever done,” Lisa said. “I just thank God we are able to do this. It’s humbling to think about this and how life can change so quickly.”

Rev. Anthony Thames, pastor of the Zion Fountain AME church, said the volunteers are working with the McMillans to help fill a special need in the community.

“We have members of the church helping out and we’ll be using our church van to deliver the meals,” Thames said. “We are planning to partner with another local restaurant next week to provide more meals.”

Thames said the seven or so members from the church volunteering with the McMillans are preparing the delivering meals whenever possible.

“We have our boys organization helping out as well,” Thames said. “There is always a need for this kind of work and we are glad to help.”

Along with assisting with the food deliveries, Thames said the church also works in other outreach activities to help those in need.

“We offer a food bank at the church that Lisa helps to run,” Thames said. “We wanted to offer something along with that by having a hot meal for people who need it. These meals are being prepared for sick and disabled folks.”

The number of people served by Friday’s effort grew mostly by word of mouth, Thames said.

“We got the names of the people who would be served best through several ways,” Thames said. “We spread the word on our Facebook page and through our ministry contacts. Several of the names came in just through word of mouth.”

The Zion Fountain AME church is located at 505 Sowell Road. For details on other offerings of assistance, contact them through their Facebook page.