By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

Merchants Foodservice volunteered with Through the Grace of God Ministries on Dec. 14 to provide a warm meal to those in need.

The team from Merchants’ corporate office brought all the necessary supplies at about 8:30 a.m. and started cooking, according to Ralph Bingham, the ministry’s director and founder.

The volunteers made spaghetti and fed about 100 people. According to Bingham, they had fun and served with a smile.

“They wanted to kinda be hands on in the community and actually go out and cook a meal and clean up and serve it and all,” Bingham said. “They did everything, they did it from start to finish … It was a great success and I think they were really pleased and happy that they did come.”

The non-profit organization has received donations from Merchants Foodservice for about four years now, according to Bingham, and the most recent act of service was done as part of the company’s mission to be more involved in the community.

Bingham expressed gratitude to the workers who came out to help. They include Woody Cheatham, Max Jolley, Sandee Colburn, Micki Turner, Mike Jester and Aaron Farmer.

“They have great hearts, you could really tell they were having fun,” Bingham said.

Through the Grace of God Ministries typically serves 500 to 600 meals a week. All of their food comes from donations made by churches, local businesses, civic groups and the community.

Bingham said the ministry is in need of volunteers to help with the preparation of their meals. To find out more, call TTGOGM at 205-755-8199 or find the ministry on Facebook.