Thanksgiving comes in July

Sonny Lawson Park, next to the Blair-caldwell African American Research Library, has an infamous reputation for homeless people, drugs and crime.

Denver native Jasmine Elizabeth doesn’t see it that way. This Five Points park is a part of her stomping grounds and after having spent 12 years out of Colorado, she returned in October of last year to a burgeoning homeless population.

“Basically, I am a firm believer in Christ and I believe that we are his hands and feet and it is our responsibility to show love,” she said. “I want to get ‘regular’ people to come out and mingle with and serve people without homes.”

Elizabeth, who owns Jelizah’s consulting, doesn’t run any type of outreach program, but her friend Cameron Florence does. He works for Kaiser Permanente and started a local Feed the Need organization in 2012.

FTN, along with the Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado, Sam’s Meat Market, Adams County Food Bank, Project STAR and Denver African American Commission, provided the resources to make the “Thanksgiving in July Barbecue” happen. Elizabeth spent eight months planning, and Saturday the event kicked off in a place close to her roots.

Popup canopies housed sounds provided by DJ Nubran, Emily Griffith student volunteers providing hair and beard cuts, a footwashing area and resource and care bags. All passersby were welcome to enjoy pork chops, hamburgers, hot dogs, sides and desserts.

“Thanksgiving in July Barbecue” comes during a time of year when homeless people are often overlooked or forgotten, according to Elizabeth. She believes that more outreach needs to be provided yearround.

“I’ve been part of the homeless community for several years now and I heard about this through other people,” attendee Tammie Nichols said. “You can usually find something going on in the summer, but not organized like this one is. I feel welcomed here.”

Elizabeth and Florence plan for this to be an annual event.