In a powerful display of community spirit, Faith Tabernacle of Prayer DC joined forces with the McKinley Technology High School Boys Basketball Team on Saturday, Nov. 3, to distribute food to hundreds of families in Washington, D.C.’s Ward 8. The initiative, which took place in the historic Anacostia area, is part of a larger effort to inspire hope and offer tangible support to a community grappling with high rates of youth criminal activity and family instability.
The event was particularly meaningful, as it provided an opportunity for the McKinley Tech basketball players to engage in meaningful community service.
McKinley Technology High School, one of the five specialized high schools in the District of Columbia Public Schools system, emphasizes in its “Six Pillars of Success” the importance of “honesty and an ethic of contributing to the community.” The boys’ basketball team embodied these principles through their active participation in the food distribution.
“Our youth sometimes get a bad rap in the city, but I thought our student-athletes were excited to do something positive and uplifting in the community,” Ali Foster, the team’s coach, said. “Another cool experience was seeing how the older church members interacted with our boys.”
Families lined up as early as 6 a.m., eager to receive a well-balanced, nutritious food package. For many, the food pantry provided a crucial supplement to fixed incomes, helping to alleviate some financial strain, particularly during the holiday season.
The partnership between Faith Tabernacle of Prayer and McKinley Tech is not only an example of faith meeting action, but also a continuation of a legacy of community service. The nearly 50-year-old ministry, founded by the Rev. Dr. Judy Talbert in 1975, has long been dedicated to uplifting the Anacostia neighborhood.
Presiding Elder the Rev. V. Johnson, who helps to continue the legacy mission of the church’s founder, expressed deep appreciation for the collaboration.
“I thank God that McKinley Tech’s Boys Basketball Team understands that caring for the community is a winning formula. It was truly a blessing to have the volunteer assistance of the team and Coach Foster,” she said.
The student-athletes’ youth and strength played a pivotal role in packaging items, and the overall execution of the day.
“We were blessed to have the young men helping to pack, lift, and carry heavy bags filled with meats, produce and other items,” one church volunteer noted.
Lynette Chambliss, the church’s outreach distribution leader and a former standout high school basketball player, emphasized the importance of McKinley’s team participating in the day of service.
“We are so grateful to have the help and support of the wonderful young men of the McKinley Tech varsity basketball team,” said Chambliss, who donated donuts and juice for the volunteers. “Their contributions, energy, positive spirits, and willingness to help, made them a very important part of our team as we served the community.”
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