Incarcerated men at Lee Correctional blessed with Christmas lunch

BISHOPVILLE—Churches contributed more than 1,000 Christmas lunches for incarcerated men at Lee Correctional Institution.

The lunches were distributed at 10 a.m. Dec. 16, feeding 1,080 inmates.

This year, the lunches had to come from a Licensed Caterer or Business, which caused organizers to rethink logistics and the receiving of meals. While there were at least 22 churches that wanted to assist, because of the new rules and regulations, they were not able to do so.

With the help of Kairos, Bethesda-Cades United Methodist Church (the Rev. Shawn Chestnut), Faith UMC (the Rev. Edward McKnight), St. Paul (the Rev. Bette Hedden), Jeremiah and Kennedyville UMC (the Rev. Norma Bartelle), Ministries on the Move (Pastor Paula Morris) and Apostle Charles and Wanda Logan Ministries, the lunch project was a success.

These churches and ministries funded licensed caterers or businesses that were able to prepare the donated lunches for the men at Lee.  

“I want to thank the Rev. Terry Fleming and Mrs. Angela Bethea who encouraged me to continue with this project,” said McKnight, pastor of Faith UMC and senior chaplain of Lee Correctional Institution.

“With the passing of my brother, the late Rev. Jerold Mcknight of Asbury UMC, I contemplated not feeding the inmates this year. It was a success, and although the guidelines have changed, we will continue to move forward in the coming years.”

McKnight asks churches who wish to be involved to begin saving funds for a caterer and preparing for a lunch distribution on Dec. 15, 2023.

McKnight dedicates this article to the memory of his brother, the Rev. Jerold Dekover McKnight, who was the inspiration and the fortitude of the prison ministry.