A Springfield church will host an annual Black History luncheon this week, with proceeds going to a program to help feed area students over the summer.
Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church will host its luncheon event from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, 34 W. Pleasant St. Now in its 10th year, the event will include entertainment and a home-cooked soul food dinner, said Rev. Peggy Turner.
The event will also honor Richard Allen, who founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church 200 years ago. The U.S. Postal Service issued the 39th Black Heritage Forever stamp honoring Allen this year, and guests will be able to buy the stamp at the program, Turner said.
The luncheon started as a way to recognize positive activities in the community, and it has continued to be a big draw for area residents since. she said. The event typically includes entertainment, and it has focused on themes like the history of jazz or gospel music, for example.
This year’s theme will be praise dance, and area individuals and teams will perform during the event, Turner said.
“It’s something many of the people in the community look forward to because the meal is prepared by members of the church,” Turner said.
Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the church’s summer food service for children. Often, she said, area students need a place to eat lunch while school is out during the summer. The church helps prepare and distribute meals to area students to help cover that gap, she said.
The event is the church’s biggest event of the year, and members have been selling tickets since January, she said.
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