16-04-2025
Mel Trotter celebrates Easter with annual community meal
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — About 400 community members were expected to attend Mel Trotter Ministries' Easter meal Wednesday.
Wednesday's event kicked off at noon at Mel Trotter's Cook Cafeteria in Grand Rapids. It will continue until 2:30 p.m. The annual meal is meant for those who are experiencing homelessness or seeking fellowship.
'We've been doing this event for about a decade,' Adam Lipscomb, director of church engagement, said. 'This event is a lot of fun. We serve 185,000 a year, but sometimes we like to do it up special. And so guests will be seated at a table. They'll experience what they might experience at a restaurant.'
He explained servers were taking orders and delivering guests' food. The menu features two starters, three different meats — ham, chicken and roast beef — a variety of sides and desserts like pie and cookies.
'I really do think that a good meal makes a difference in someone's life,' Lipscomb said. 'Now during Holy Week, we think that this communicates the love of Jesus in a really significant way. It's a way of treating our guests with dignity and helping them to know that we care. And it helps build community … with each other, as well.'
He said is able to offer the service with support from the community.
'Volunteers make the world go 'round,' he said.
—News 8's Cameron James contributed to this report.
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