Texas Baptists leadership volunteers with TBM at vaccination site, opportunities for volunteers available

At Fair Park, cars line up so that their drivers or passengers can receive the COVID-19 vaccine at a drive-thru vaccination clinic. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Guard are helping the doctors, nurses and volunteers at the site administer thousands of vaccinations a day. Texas Baptist Men (TBM) volunteers are doing their part to help the process by feeding the doctors, nurses, soldiers and volunteers vaccinating Texans at the Dallas County location.

On March 4, Texas Baptists leadership took part in the volunteering, serving breakfast, lunch and snacks. David Hardage, executive director; Craig Christina, associate executive director; Ward Hayes, Treasurer/CFO; Ray Malone, Human Resources director; and Phil Miller, Center for Church Health director were among the leaders who sorted and restocked food and drinks and spoke encouragement over those that passed through for refreshments.

“We are helping to support the work of TBM as they serve meals to the healthcare workers distributing the vaccine,” Christina explained. “We feel like it’s important to show the love of Christ in practical ways, and we support those who are on the frontlines fighting COVID-19.”

Hardage agreed.

“We love our partnership with TBM,” he said. “We’re happy to support the vaccination effort.”

TBM volunteers arrive at 6:15 a.m. each morning to set up the coffee and breakfast and encourage people as they begin their days. Lunch begins at 11 a.m. As the doctors, nurses and park staff trickled in, they grabbed pre-packaged food boxes for themselves and their coworkers. The Texas Baptist leadership offered words of encouragement as they handed out food, thanking them for their service.

“TBM has this down to a science,” Miller said as he refilled the coffee dispensers and directed hungry nurses to the food tables. “We have people coming through all morning, and they all keep saying ‘thank you.’ But we want our service to reflect, ‘no, thank you.’”

The team passed out approximately 500 lunches, as well as countless drinks and snacks.

An extended opportunity

The feeding operation, which was originally supposed to last through the end of March, has been extended at the request of Dallas County. TBM will now provide support through at least the end of April, with the possibility of a further extension, depending on the vaccination process.

TBM is looking for additional volunteers to help with this feeding ministry as it continues to grow. Volunteer teams are composed of seven members, including one team lead, and provide coffee, breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday, from 6:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. People can sign up individually or as a group, with no training required.

Volunteers can sign up for this opportunity here.

If you have any questions, email TBM Disaster Relief Director David Wells at David.Wells[at]tbmtx.org or call TBM at 214-275-1100.