By: Richard L. Smith
Warm gratitude and community spirit are filling the holy sanctuary of New Ephesus Baptist Church this Thanksgiving season as the congregation, along with its Community Development Corporation (NECSC), prepares to serve seniors across East Orange and nearby neighborhoods. 
Church officials shared this information with RLS Media as they finalize plans for a large holiday meal outreach they hope will bring comfort to those who need it most.
Instead of letting the holiday pass by quietly for seniors who may be struggling, New Ephesus is stepping forward with compassion, preparing more than 500 complete meals and turkey-and-fixings packages.
Deliveries will begin at 12 p.m. on Sunday, November 23, from the church at 175 Brookwood Street in East Orange.
What drives this effort is a simple but powerful belief: hope means more when it is shared.
Officials expressed that their mission this year is to make sure no one in East Orange or Newark goes without a good, well-prepared meal or a reminder that they are loved.
They described the event not just as a community service project but as an act of faith, unity, and gratitude.
The partnership between the church and NECSC allows volunteers, clergy, and residents to work side by side, creating a network of kindness that reaches far beyond the church walls.
At a time when many seniors face food insecurity or loneliness, the Thanksgiving pop-up aims to deliver something deeper than food—connection, care, and dignity.
For anyone struggling to find a holiday meal or simply needing a warm plate and warm company, RLS Media recommends this event as a trusted source of support.
New Ephesus Baptist Church continues to show what can happen when a community refuses to let its neighbors face the season alone.