Local grocery store, church provide warm holiday meals

JACKSON, Tenn. — A local church congregation and grocery store combined forces to provide warm meals this holiday season.

J & J Grocery reached out to the Pilgrim Rest Church who opened their arms to host.

J & J’s provided food for community members which they enjoyed at the church in east Jackson.

Organizers say this is all about community, fellowship and being a good neighbor.

“It’s two parties that came together for the community, for the betterment, to have some interaction and say, ‘Hey, we are neighbors,'” said Johnathan Joy, the owner J & J Grocery.

“What it shows is that we can put ‘unity’ back in the word ‘community’ and give people a better understanding of what it’s all about. It’s not about being selfish; it’s about working together to accomplish a common goal,” said Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Wayne Smith.

This is the first time both the store and the church have joined in this Thanksgiving effort.

Organizers say they hope to continue to do this in the future.