Memorial Park Church Barbecue Is a Labor of Love

It started as a simple question—"How can we help?”

Kevin Steele, the person who asked the question of NHCO three years ago, said he didn’t have a particular answer in mind. Kevin, the Local Outreach Coordinator for Memorial Park Church (MPC) in Allison Park, believed that the church’s expansive campus could serve as a focal point for bringing the community together to support our neighbors in need. “There was a lot of brainstorming and collaboration between NHCO and Memorial Park.” 

The Third Annual Community Barbecue wrapped up on Sunday, April 12, drawing 340 adults and children to an afternoon of games, fellowship, and delicious food provided by Wheelfish restaurant (Wheelfish supported the event as a Hickory Sponsor). This year’s Barbecue generated more than $16,300 that will be used to help members of our community who are experiencing crisis, hardship, and poverty.

A small army of MPC volunteers and staff poured hours into making sure that everyone who came felt welcome and enjoyed themselves. The children’s activities at the event were a particular highlight, with an elaborate bounce house being a favorite attraction. For MPC, this tremendous effort was a true labor of love, as Esmé Teel, MPC’s Pastor of Congregational Care, noted, “MPC is called to love people, to invest in people, and partnering with an organization such as NHCO to bring hope and love into the community is a wonderful blessing.”

“NHCO is such a valuable asset to the community. The scope of its services to those in need are truly unique,” Pastor Teel continued. “But, nothing happens in a vacuum. MPC and NHCO support each other to do better, combining our strengths. There is a give and take with a partnership like this that creates something special that can’t be reproduced in any other way.”

The Community Barbecue is the latest installment in a long history of support and friendship that MPC has extended to our NHCO family. “Anytime we can help the community as a whole, it’s a beautiful thing,” said Kevin. “This is what we are called to do, and partnering with NHCO gives us the opportunity to live it.”

That was Kevin’s experience when he first approached us with MPC’s willingness to organize a fundraising event. He encourages anyone moved to support our mission to begin by asking that same simple question—“How can I help?”

“Everyone has a gift,” he said. “You just have to figure out how to use it. Nothing is too small.”