Staff members at St. Mary’s Church of God in Christ say the church’s role in the community is to find a need and fill it. The church should offer refuge, help and relief to those who need it most, they believe.

And they are ready to put their money where their mouths are.

“We are a giving church,” said the Rev. Dwight Nixon. “We’re willing to do anything necessary to help people and help the quality of life and providing whatever resources we have.”

On Thanksgiving Day, the church will partner with the Salvation Army to provide meals for those less fortunate.

It’s a continuation of a long-term relationship between the church and the Salvation Army. Once a month, church members go to the Salvation Army to supply food and workers in order to help feed the hungry.

“We felt like it was a way to reach out to the needy, which is a responsibility of the church — to help those who are in need,” Nixon said.

Coming into the Thanksgiving season, Nixon said workers from the Salvation Army solicited the help of the church members again to help meet the need of the holiday rush.

“We decided to take it on for this year,” Nixon said. “It’s something we should do especially this time of year with those who are less fortunate. We should be willing to give and lend a helping hand. This is a time to be thankful and a time to be helpful, as well.”

Church members will flock to the Salvation Army building in downtown Suffolk to prepare and serve Thursday’s meal.

The church will be at the Salvation Army building from noon to 2 p.m., and Nixon says anyone who is in need is welcomed.

“Those who come in will be fed,” he said.

Anyone interested in donating food to help with the effort can contact Nixon at 538-0155.

St. Mary’s Church of God In Christ is located on Nansemond Parkway and is the home of the Kiddie Kingdom Daycare. For more information on the Salvation Army in Suffolk, call 539-5201.