MINT HILL, NC – Every year on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Servant’s Heart hosts Turkey Tuesday, an assistance program through which clients receive groceries for a traditional Thanksgiving meal to prepare the way they like to eat it based on the number of people who reside in their home.

In 2021, Servant’s Heart generously served 533 people with $16,530 in traditional Thanksgiving groceries.  Additionally, each client received a $40 Food Lion gift card (for meat and a few extra items), a selection of pumpkin, pecan, or apple pies, an assortment of fresh breads, Food Lion Hunger Boxes, and items from Servant’s Heart’s Emergency Food Pantry.  

This year, Servant’s Heart’s annual Turkey Tuesday program falls on Tuesday, November 22.  The bags of groceries are being donated by Queens Grant Community School, Elevation Church, and the Cresswind subdivision. Prudent Growth Partners, LLC, of Lawyer’s Square Shopping Center is once again partnering with Servant’s Heart, making it possible to include fresh bread and pies with each bag of groceries. 

Servant’s Heart is grateful to the many community partners who are helping to make this year’s Turkey Tuesday possible.  In addition to Queens Grant Community school, Elevation Church, and Cresswind Charlotte Community, and Prudent Growth Partners, Servant’s Heart extends their thanks to the Miss Mint Hill Pageant, Beloved Community Church, Morningstar Lutheran Church, and Atrium Health, who have all committed monies toward the purchase of $40 Food Lion gift cards.  Novant Medical Center of Mint Hill also graciously donates sturdy, reusable bags for grocery items each year. 

Although it may sound like Servant’s Heart has it all covered, that’s not the case.  “With rising food costs, we anticipate serving more people this year than last year,” says Servant’s Heart Founder and Executive Director Kim Rhodarmer.  “You can make this Thanksgiving meaningful for struggling families by donating $20 Food Lion gift cards for meat purchases.”  Please bring gift cards to Servant’s Heart Assistance Programs by Friday, November 18. 

“Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year, maybe because it’s the only holiday we don’t exchange gifts – because the real gift is each other,” says Rhodarmer.   “It’s time spent with family and friends. It’s a dedicated day to remind all of us that even with life’s challenges, we still have so much for which to be thankful.”

Immediately following Thanksgiving, Servant’s Heart will begin accepting donations for their Christmas Assistance program.  Through this program, clients select up to $100 in new toys for each child in their home up to age 12.  Because teenagers can be more difficult to select gifts for, clients are given $75 in gift cards to Target or Walmart for each teenager or college student in the home for a shopping trip.

Last Christmas, Servant’s Heart gave over $41,000 in toys and gift cards through its Christmas Assistance Program.  Two known areas of need this Christmas season are Target and Wal-Mart gift cards ($25 or $75 denominations) for children ages 13 through college and toys for boys and girls ages 8-12.  Christmas donations are accepted Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.  Ask for Rochelle Williams, Social Worker. 

“Helping over 29,000 people with $1.3 million in 5 1/2  years is only possible because of a generously supportive and caring community,” concludes Rhodarmer.  “I love living and working in Mint Hill!”