Troy group plans free community meal

Event set for Sunday

TROY, N.Y. » People can join Billy Carter and Kingdom Ministries on Easter Sunday for its annual free community holiday meal.

The free community celebration begins at 2 p.m. with a kid Easter egg hunt at Christ Church at 35 State St. in downtown Troy. Following the egg hunt, kids and their relatives will be able to enjoy a feast including baked ham, fried chicken, vegetables, baked macaroni and cheese, rice, gravy, sweet potatoes, breads, beverages and desserts.

Carter said that guests in attendance on Sunday will also have the opportunity to bring home many different kinds of new clothing items along with some house ware items.

“Someone recently called me and said they had two huge bags of brand new clothes with the tags on them, she had said that she was on her way to another agency, but when she saw the flyer for the Kingdom Ministries program, she decided to give them to us,” said Carter. “Why? Because we don’t sell the items that are donated and she wants to help the community and wanted to find a way to give the clothes away, but she said she had no choice sometimes but to give it to places like Goodwill.”

Carter said that as part of his community meal program he will also deliver meals to residents living in the Burns Apartments in Troy and elsewhere as well.

“We encourage everyone to eat as much as they can and if possible take some of that food home with them,” said Carter.

Carter has been hosting free community Easter and Christmas dinners for several years now because he says he wants to serve those who may not have anywhere or anyone to celebrate the holidays with.

“I am a Christian and I love Jesus and I am always looking for a way to protect the Gospel through our service, especially on these holidays,” said Carter.

Carter said that many of his programs would not be possible to host without the help and support of many other community members and elected officials along with the Albany Sarang Fellowship Church in Watervliet and Nite Owl News in downtown Troy.

“We have great volunteers and we’re thankful for the sponsors, our community and business sponsors are all extremely excellent this year,” said Carter. “These events are put on with our sponsors from the community, local politicians and local businesses.”