By Brian Livingston
blivingston@themeridianstar.com
The engines from the pack of Harley-Davidson motorcycles turning off 18th Street onto 23rd Avenue Saturday morning growled toward downtown Meridian.
But instead of carrying a motorcycle gang intent on rampaging through the area, the bikes instead carried members of the ABATE Motorcycle Club whose goal was to deliver Thanksgiving food and canned goods to clients of the Care Lodge Domestic Violence Shelter.
"We rely so much on community, business and organization support for the services we provide so to have these men and women provide us with this donation is a very much appreciated," said Diane Mills, who is the community coordinator for the Care Lodge.
The East Central Chapter of the American Bikers Active Toward Education (ABATE) Club held its Annual Food Run to support Care Lodge Domestic Violence Shelter. The ride set out from Meridian Yamaha located at 915 Highway 19 North in 23rd Avenue community office of the Care Lodge. This is the eighth year ABATE has sponsored the Food Run in support of Care Lodge, according to Gary Minchew, who is the area director of ABATE.
"Club members are happy to support Care Lodge with the food run each year and feel especially good about being able to help the women and children that we know are displaced from their own homes over the holidays," stated Minchew. "Sometimes the ones in need are forgotten."
"Care Lodge truly appreciates the generous support ABATE has provided over the past 8 years," said Leslie Payne, executive director of Care Lodge. "This annual food drive is especially meaningful for us as it helps us stock our shelves right as the holiday season is upon us. We have also gotten to know a number of the riders and it is always exciting to see the long line of motorcycles drive up and pull into our parking lot."
The East Central Chapter of ABATE of Mississippi has about 65 members and is involved in various community service projects throughout the year. The group meets the second Sunday of every month at 1:30 p.m. at Meridian Yamaha.
Established in 1981, Care Lodge is the only domestic violence shelter within east central Mississippi that provides safe shelter, advocacy and assistance to adult victims of domestic violence and their children, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Care Lodge provides services for approximately 500 clients every year and serves the residents of Lauderdale, Clarke, Kemper, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Noxubee, Scott and Winston counties. For more information, please visit www.carelodge.com or call Care Lodge at 601-693-HOPE.
Miller couldn't thank the riders enough as they helped move the food inside.
"We currently have 23 clients and this will more than give them a very good Thanksgiving banquet," she said.
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Holiday spirit
Motorcycle club donates food to shelter
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