We don't just want to meet the need. We want to meet the person.
This Thanksgiving, we're continuing Solid Rock's legacy of generosity while putting more of the ministry into the hands of our church family. Our hope is that a Thanksgiving box, a conversation at the door, or a seat at your table becomes the beginning of a relationship that lasts beyond Thanksgiving.
Practical guidelines about how to Provide...Connect...Host
Provide - Build a Thanksgiving box for someone you know
If you are providing the food yourself, this suggested list gives you a simple starting point. Adjust for household size, allergies, dietary needs, and what you know about the recipient. If Solid Rock is supplying the contents, you do not need to purchase these items.
Before you shop, ask: How many people are in the household? Are there allergies or dietary restrictions?
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● Turkey or another appropriate main dish
● Stuffing mix
● Potatoes or instant mashed potatoes
● Gravy
● Canned green beans or another vegetable
● Canned corn
● Cranberry sauce
● Dinner rolls or bread
● Pie or simple dessert
● Shelf-stable pantry item or snack
● Optional: a handwritten Thanksgiving card
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Keep the gift simple and dignified. A thoughtful box does not need to be extravagant. The most important part of this outreach is that the food is paired with your personal care and presence.
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What do I say at the door?
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A SIMPLE OPENING
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“Hi, I’m Ryan from Solid Rock. We wanted to bring you a Thanksgiving box and let you know we’re thinking about you this season. How are you doing?”
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If this is someone you already know, make it even more natural: “Hey, we were thinking about you and wanted to bring this by for Thanksgiving. How have you guys been doing?”
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KEEP THE CONVERSATION SIMPLE
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● Ask an open question: “How has your week been?” or “How are things going for your family?”
● Listen more than you talk.
● If they mention a need, do not promise what you cannot provide. You can say, “Thank you for telling me. Would it be okay if I shared that with our Reach Out team?”
● If it feels appropriate, ask, “Is there anything we can be praying for?”
● If they are comfortable with prayer, keep it brief, sincere, and connected to what they shared.
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BEFORE YOU LEAVE
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Create a natural reason to reconnect: “Would it be okay if I checked in with you again in a few weeks?” A simple question like that turns a one-time delivery into an open door for relationship.
Connect - Deliver a box to a Reach Out family
Your first call to a Reach Out family
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When you choose CONNECT, Solid Rock will give you the name and contact information of an individual or family who has requested Thanksgiving assistance through Reach Out, ideally someone near you. The church provides the box. You provide the relationship.
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BEFORE YOU CALL
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● Pray briefly for the person or family.
● Review only the information the church has provided to you. Respect their privacy.
● Know a couple of delivery windows that work for you.
● Remember that your job is not to investigate their situation. Your job is to love them well.
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A SIMPLE PHONE SCRIPT
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“Hi, is this [Name]? My name is [Your Name], and I’m part of Solid Rock Christian Fellowship. Our Reach Out ministry let me know that you requested a Thanksgiving box. I’m the person who gets to bring it to you this year, and I wanted to introduce myself and find a time that works well for me to drop it off.”
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Then make it personal: “How are you doing?” “How many people will be celebrating with you?” or “Is there anything we should know about food allergies or dietary needs?”
Before hanging up, confirm the day, approximate time, and best address. You can also say, “We’re glad we get to do this. Is there anything I can be praying for before I see you?”
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Delivery day: from contact to connection
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The first call handled the logistics. The delivery is your opportunity to slow down enough to meet the person.
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WHEN YOU ARRIVE
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● Use their name.
● Smile and introduce anyone who came with you.
● Hand them the box without making the moment feel transactional.
● Ask how they are doing and give them time to answer.
● Look for common ground: neighborhood, work, kids, Thanksgiving plans, church background, or something they mentioned on the phone.
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SPIRITUAL CONVERSATION
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Do not force a gospel presentation into every interaction. Be attentive to the opportunities God gives. If they share hardship, fear, grief, or uncertainty, you can naturally offer prayer and speak about the hope you have in Christ.
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Be present. Be curious. Be prayerful. Let the relationship develop naturally.
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A GOOD ENDING
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“It was really good to meet you. Would you mind if I checked in with you around Christmas to see how you’re doing?” If they say yes, make a note in your phone before you leave so you actually follow through.
Host - Make room at your table
Hospitality is more than serving a meal. It is creating space where someone can be known, welcomed, and cared for. Think about neighbors, coworkers, students, church members, widows or widowers, people who are new to Prescott, or anyone who may otherwise spend Thanksgiving alone.
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A SIMPLE INVITATION
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“We’d love to have you join us for Thanksgiving this year. There’s no pressure at all, but we’d really enjoy having you at our table.”
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HELP THEM FEEL AT HOME
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● Tell them what time to come and what the day will be like.
● Make it clear they do not need to bring anything.
● Ask about allergies or dietary needs.
● Introduce them to people instead of leaving them to navigate the room alone.
● Include them in conversation without putting them on the spot.
● If your family normally prays, reads Scripture, or shares thanks, simply include them naturally.
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Hospitality does not have to end on Thanksgiving. A shared meal gives you an easy reason to send a text later: “We loved having you with us. Let’s do dinner again sometime.”
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Natural Conversation Starters
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Give generously. Love personally.
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You don't need a perfect plan. Be curious, listen well, and let the conversation develop naturally. The goal is not to work through a list of questions. It is to know the person sitting at your table.
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Easy Ways to Get Started
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● What did Thanksgiving look like for your family growing up?
● Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions?
● What's your favorite Thanksgiving food?
● How long have you lived in Prescott?
● What brought you here?
● What do you enjoy doing when you have some free time?
● Tell me a little about your family.
● What's been keeping you busy lately?
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Questions That Go a Little Deeper
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● What's been good in your life lately?
● What's been difficult lately?
● What are you looking forward to right now?
● What's something you're thankful for this year?
● Is there anything you're hoping will be different this next year?
● How can we be good neighbors to you?
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Creating Natural Spiritual Conversation
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Don't feel pressure to manufacture a gospel conversation. Listen for doors God may already be opening.
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If someone mentions a difficulty:
"I'm sorry. That's a lot to carry. How are you doing with all of that?"
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If they share something they're thankful for:
"That's really something to be thankful for. We've seen the Lord provide for us in some pretty meaningful ways too."
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If faith or church comes up:
"What's your experience with church been like?"
"Has faith been a part of your life at all?"
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These questions give the other person freedom to share as much or as little as they want.
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Around the Thanksgiving Table
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One of the easiest opportunities for meaningful conversation may already be built into the meal.
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Before eating, you might simply say:
"We normally thank God for our food before we eat. Is there anything going on in your life that we could pray about while we pray?"
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This is personal and natural, and it gives your guest an opportunity to share a real need.
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You could also go around the table and ask:
"What's one thing you're thankful for this year?"
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Your own answer can naturally include Christ and God's faithfulness without putting your guest on the spot.
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DON'T TRY TO GET THROUGH THE QUESTIONS. GET TO KNOW THE PERSON.
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Listen More Than You Talk
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Ask a question. Listen. Then ask a follow-up question based on what the person actually said.
For example, if someone says, "We moved here three years ago after my husband died," don't immediately move on to the next question. Stay there.
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"I'm sorry. What was that transition like for you?"
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That is what love personally looks like.
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A simple invitation can turn Thanksgiving hospitality into the beginning of an ongoing relationship:
"We've really enjoyed having you. We'd love to do this again sometime. Would you be up for that?"
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Now Thanksgiving hasn't just been a nice meal. You've created a natural next step in the relationship.
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We don't just want to meet the need. We want to meet the person.
Beyond Thanksgiving
The box is just the beginning.
Once you've stood at someone's door, learned their name, heard their story, and prayed with them, they're no longer just a name on a list. They're someone you know.
Check in again at Christmas. Remember them when you drive by their house. Invite them over for dinner.
Invite them to church. Pray for them. Look for opportunities to serve them and, as the Lord opens doors, share Christ with them.
The Thanksgiving box becomes a bridge.
That's what we mean when we say: Give generously. Love personally.
BUILDING ON A LEGACY OF GENEROSITY
For many years, Solid Rock 's Thanksgiving Box Ministry has blessed our community through the faithful leadership of Jim Peterson and his team and the generosity of countless people in our church family.
Thousands of boxes have been packed, organized, delivered, and given in love. We are deeply grateful for everyone who has invested in this ministry and for the gospel seeds that have been planted along the way.
We want to carry that legacy forward by putting more of that ministry into your hands.
Copyright 2026 Solid Rock Christian Fellowship
All Rights Reserved.