Church provides students a home for the Thanksgiving holiday

Sharing the bounty for the second year, St. James United Methodist Church is opening its doors to area students who can't make it home for Thanksgiving.
Sharing the bounty for the second year, St. James United Methodist Church is opening its doors to area students who can't make it home for Thanksgiving.

Sharing the bounty for the second year, St. James United Methodist Church is opening its doors to area students who can't make it home for Thanksgiving.

Last year, the church kicked off its first Thanksgiving meal for Westminster College students. Pastor Joseph La Prise said it went so well, with about 100 people attending, that the church members decided to continue the tradition. This year they are expanding their invitation to include students from William Woods University that also want attend. The event begins at 11 a.m. and runs until about 2 p.m. Sunday.

La Prise explained that the invitation goes out to students, especially international students, who are unable to make it home for the traditional Thanksgiving service.

"This is part of our denomination's radical hospitality," he said.

He explained that "radical hospitality" means helping those who are in need.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.