Pine Bluff saw a five-alarm blaze Sunday evening in an abandoned church at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street.
All seven city fire stations eventually responded to the call, managing to contain the fully involved blaze to the single structure where it began. The remains of the once-proud masonry structure now lie in a pile of still smoldering rubble.
“When I saw that fire live online Sunday night I was so moved,” said Deborah Allen, the founder, director and owner of First Ward Living Grace Pantry at 1201 Commerce Road in Pine Bluff. “I was sitting on the edge of my bed watching those brave men and women battle that blaze. It really got to me. So, we put this event together in just two days to try and express our appreciation for all the brave men and women who risk their lives to protect our community. Their hard work and dedication are deeply appreciated,” she said.
She further stated, “I called the fire chief to see when would be best and he said Wednesday was the best time for all his men. I don’t have a lot of money, but I’ve got favor and when I called on the restaurants, they stepped up to help. Everybody came through in just that short amount of time.”
The midday luncheon was offered from noon until 3 p.m. with meals presented in to-go-boxes and given out at the Pantry to all comers. The event fed nearly 100 Pine Bluff firefighters, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and city police officers, 911 personnel and emergency medical technicians.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Restaurants and food services involved in providing the free meal were Grider Field Restaurant, RJ’s Sports Grill & Bar, J&T Food Truck, Candy Coated Chelle, Rice First Class Catering Service, Super One, Riq’s Boys Tacos and the local women’s shelter. Allen added, “Sheriff Woods’ mom, Gwyn Woods, helped fix dessert.”
The luncheon menu contained an array of delicious foods, including fried chicken, chicken Alfredo, chicken spaghetti, meatloaf, string beans, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, cabbage, caramel cake, dump cake and banana pudding.
Among those present for the occasion were 911 operators Nicole Dendy and Cherrhonda McMiller. They both agreed, “It’s nice to be appreciated and thought of. When there is an emergency, 911 is never seen but always heard.”
Addressing First Ward Living Grace Pantry’s mission, Allen stated, “We feed homeless people, less-fortunate children, folks in the projects and the elderly every Wednesday and Thursday. And we take food to the hungry where they are. One of our long term goals is to provide a live-in shelter for Pine Bluff’s homeless population.”
The Pantry partners with Trinity Annex, Summit Utilities, Kingdom Builders, Mr. Fix It, Reverend Dunlap, New Bethel Church, Reed Care Share Outreach, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff High School, Army National Guard, New Salem Church, Pine Hill, Pleasant Grove, Christ the Redeemer Church, Allen Temple AME Church, Be Ready Global Alliance and Church Without Walls.
“Before we relocated to Commerce Road, I was at the old Southeast School for five years,” Allen said. “When the city bought that property, we had to find a new home for our ministry. It wasn’t nothing but God’s own hand that got us where we are today. Ivan Whitfield and Bill Jones with Sissy’s Log Cabin got us a fifteen year lease on this location at one dollar per year.” She laughed and added, “And Bill paid the 15 dollars.”
Pine Bluff firefighters and Jefferson County deputies, Pine Bluff police officers, 911 personnel and EASI medical technicians were treated to a free appreciation lunch at First Ward Living Grace Pantry on Wednesday. (Special to The Commercial/Richard Ledbetter)