SC law enforcement brings lunch to homeless Columbians

Members of several law enforcement agencies spent lunchtime Tuesday serving meals to hundreds of homeless Columbians at Christ Central Ministries on North Main Street.

The ministry serves lunch for the homeless every day, according to Executive Director Sylvia Mickens. Tuesday was the first time law enforcement organized to help out, with representatives from the Columbia Police Department, Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the Highway Patrol, the S.C. Department of Corrections and S.C. Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services. Student-athletes from the University of South Carolina helped, too.

“We need to be safe, we need to feel safe, and there has been a gap there,” Mickens said. “Today, what we see is that gap being closed because we see the leadership of the city actually serving the poor.”

For diner Frank Frisby, the lunch was a bit of Christmas cheer.

“The food is fresh and properly cooked,” Frisby said, “and I greatly appreciate that.”

Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said the lunch was a chance to assist the community.

“We certainly know we have a population that’s under-served and in need of compassion and service,” Holbrook said. “What better way to assist than participate in this ministry that does so much for our homeless population and those that are in need?”

Officers also distributed coats, sleeping bags and hygiene packs after the meal.

This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 3:45 PM.