DELLWOOD, Mo. — Giving meals to the community in Dellwood on the Saturday before Thanksgiving was about hope. Rob Proffitt, with St. Andrew United Methodist Church said it's all about filling up peoples' plates and hearts.
St. Andrew United Methodist Church partnered with several other churches, from all walks of faith, as well as organizations to give away 700 meals from seven different food trucks.
It's more than just a hot meal before the holidays, according to Proffitt.
"Show people that North County is a great place to be and there's a lot of support over here and that's what we're trying to do," he said.
All of the food trucks were organized by 'Food is Love,' which is a local nonprofit dedicated to feeding the community. Chef Lasse Sorensen said since they've been involved in this specific giveaway, it has only grown over the years.
"I don't ever remember the Bible saying that you had to be from the same denomination to help people. I've never been able to find that verse. This is not a United Methodist event, this is a community event that's helping people," Proffitt said. "The more successful we are, the more people we reach. That's not a good thing. We hope to get to a point where we show up with seven food trucks and nobody shows up."
According to 'Food is Love' President John Michel, the first year the nonprofit came with three food trucks and served 350 meals and now two years later they've doubled that amount.
"We've seen about a 35 to 45% increase in demand, whether it's through our partners at the St. Louis Food Bank, it's consistent, so finding different ways that we can engage folks is important," Michel said.
One of those ways, according to Michel, is in the form of wheels since there are no food deserts with a food truck.
"We just want to find creative ways to involve everyone to say, 'There is a gap, but we can close it together using food," he said.
It's a gap that's being closed, with more than just a meal.
"How do we best spread the love, go cook for somebody, so that's what we're doing," Sorensen said.
St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Florissant will be giving out everything you need for your Thanksgiving meal on Wednesday. Anyone is welcome to come to the drive-thru event starting at 4:30 p.m.
