Lula Newkirk gives back because she received
By Steve Herring
Published in News on December 28, 2016 10:35 AM
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Timothy Newkirk Jr., left, and Larry Lamb, right, carry out some of the 153 boxes of food distributed last Tuesday during the Helping Hands United Mission's annual Christmas food box giveaway. In the background is Gene Cunningham, brother-in-law of ministry founder Lula Newkirk. Timothy Newkirk is her grandson.
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News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
Lula Newkirk, founder of Helping Hands United Mission, looks over the list of people who signed up for a box of food to cook Christmas dinner. The ministry gave away 153 boxes of food last Tuesday.
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News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
Boxes stuffed with all of the fixings needed for a Christmas dinner line the floor at Helping Hands United Mission last Tuesday as Mary Bellamy looks over the delivery list.
MOUNT OLIVE -- With each box of food handed out by Helping Hands United Mission, the Rev. Lula Newkirk is trying to repay the help her family received while she was growing up.
She and her late husband, Edward Cornell Newkirk, started the nonprofit 25 years ago in an old barn in their back yard.
Although it has been renovated and changed over the years, the building is still being used.
"I was motivated to do it because it (giving) was done to done to us in the past when we were growing up," Mrs. Newkirk said. "I always just felt that I wanted to give back.
"My husband and I got together and decided to serve elderly in the community. We started with 12 people and knew they could use a helping hand."
Mrs. Newkirk studied to be a nurse and worked many years at Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro until she retired in 2001.
She and her late husband, were married for 39 years. They started the nonprofit mission in 1994.
They also provided clothing, helped people who had fallen behind in heating bills and counseled those in need.
It has been a blessing, she said
"It hasn't been anybody but the Lord," Mrs. Newkirk said. "Thank God for His direction. Thank God for His leading and His provisions. He has provided for us through many resources, many people. We have some good people in Mount Olive.
"We did have any idea it was going to grow to this extent. I think if I had known, we probably would have done the structure differently. But starting in a little box, a little barn, we kept moving and adding to make space, and it ended up like this. But it is working."
Mrs. Newkirk said she thanks the Lord for the volunteers.
She and her volunteers prepared 153 boxes for the Dec. 20 giveaway.
It started at 11 a.m., and by 1:30 p.m. fewer than 50 boxes remained including the ones that were to be delivered.
Also close to 20 people who did not pre-register stopped by to register.
Each box included a turkey with all the trimmings, fruits, cookies, desserts, bread, rice, cranberry sauce, black-eyed peas and stuffing, she said.
Most of the food is donated.
Helping out this year include local individuals, Area Churches in Action, Mount Olive First United Methodist Church, Mays Chapel Church, Mt. Olive Pickle Co. and Mount Olive Presbyterian Church.
"We picked up the bread and turkeys this morning (Dec. 20)," she said.
The volunteers included her sister Mary Bellamy, daughter Renee Newkirk, granddaughter Sheree Spruill, grandson Timothy Newkirk Jr. and brother-in-law Gene Cunningham.
It is a job that could not be accomplished without the volunteers, like Larry Lamb, Mrs. Newkirk said.
"These people, they enjoy doing what they do," she said. "They do it with a smile. They are glad to do it. I am happy. Lord that makes me feel great.
"I feel like people in the community trust me. You know that is a good feeling when you feel like people trust you because they will pour into you. They will be a blessing to you so that you can be a blessing to others."
Esther Fernanders, 102, of Calypso waited in her car while her caregiver picked up her box.
Other than someone else cooking the turkey, Mrs. Fernanders, who will celebrate her 103rd birthday in March, said she would cook the meal.
She said she was looking forward to a big Christmas.
"I don't have to do much cooking, but I do a lot of eating," she said.
Asked about her favorite food she said, just "about everything."
Mrs. Fernanders, said she thinks she has been good enough this year for Santa to visit her.
"I sure have," she said. "I don't know what he will bring me. Santa Claus has always been good to me."
Annie Carlton picked up her box and had brought two other people with her to pick up boxes.
After taking them home she was headed to pick up two more people and bring them to pick up boxes.
Ms. Carlton said she also volunteers to help pack the boxes.
"I think it is sweet," she said. "I think she is a good lady. She does it every year, and most times I come and pick up stuff for other people to help her out. I come out here to Bible study, She is a good woman, she sure is."
Ms. Carlton said she would start cooking several days before Christmas making her sweets with the rest just a day or two before Christmas Day.