For the last four years, NewSpring Church in Aiken, South Carolina, has opened its doors to the homeless and those in need for a Thanksgiving meal. What makes this event unique is not just the food shared but the message of compassion and community that Pastor Matt Steelman and his congregation work to spread. The event is about much more than just meeting physical needs; it’s about creating a space for connection, both spiritually and emotionally.
Steelman recalls how the idea for the Thanksgiving meal took root during the challenges of the pandemic. "There was a noticeable gap that emerged during COVID," he explains. "People were isolated, and many struggled to meet their basic needs, including food. We saw an opportunity to bring people together, not just to eat but to encounter love and community." For Steelman, the meal serves as a chance to welcome people into a space where they can feel welcome, often in ways they have not felt in a long time.
He views the event as a pathway to healing for people who have faced hurtful situations in the past, including negative experiences with churches or misunderstandings about faith. "We want people to come in and encounter others who love Jesus and who can help shift their perspectives on what church is," Steelman shares. "Whether it's past baggage or misconceptions about church, we hope this meal is an open door for people to experience something different, something restorative."
One of the most powerful impacts of NewSpring’s Thanksgiving meal is its ability to bring people together across boundaries. "We’ve seen relationships develop between people of different ethnicities and socioeconomic classes," Steelman says. "It’s beautiful to watch how the event creates awareness about the needs in our community and fosters connection among people who might not otherwise cross paths."
The meal is just one of many ways NewSpring Church strives to offer tangible help. The church’s onsite food pantry and clothes closet are always available, and attendees also receive information about other community resources that can assist with housing, medical care and long-term stability.
The heart of the mission at NewSpring is simple: to serve with kindness and grace. "We always remind our volunteers to meet every person with kindness, no matter what their situation is," Steelman explains. "I often tell them to have ‘smiling eyes’ because, for many of these people, they’re used to meeting condemnation and rejection. We want to offer something different, hope and welcome."
These personal interactions—whether through conversation, shared prayer or offering a listening ear—are at the core of what Steelman believes this event is about. "There’s something powerful about sitting down with someone, listening to their story and praying with them," he says. "These meetings, these moments of connection are what this is all about."
Steelman points to the biblical instruction in Matthew 25:40: "Whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me." This principle guides the work of NewSpring Church as they aim to accept people as they are and introduce them to the love of Jesus through their actions. "We want to meet people where they are and point them toward the Gospel," Matt says. "It’s not just about providing for their physical needs; it’s about helping them find hope and purpose through Jesus."
One of the most rewarding aspects of the Thanksgiving meal has been witnessing the transformation in past attendees. "We’ve had people who used to come because they needed assistance," Steelman shares. "Now they’ve turned their lives around and come back to serve others. That’s one of the most impactful parts—seeing how the cycle of giving and gratitude keeps going."
For NewSpring Church, this annual meal is more than just an act of charity—it’s a powerful expression of faith, love and community that continues to impact lives year after year.