WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) — When you do something long enough, it becomes a routine.
That’s why it’s no surprise to see Arzaia Thomas run the dish room at the Samaritan Ministries Soup Kitchen like it’s clockwork.
She enjoys making sure all the dishes hundreds of guests rely on to enjoy a filling meal are spotless. It’s volunteer work that she doesn’t take lightly.
“People need help. There are people that look all right but aren’t all right,” she said.
Thomas doesn’t take serving for granted, especially knowing what she has overcome.
She came to the ministry during one of the lowest times of her life on Thanksgiving Day 1981.
Thomas says she was depressed and was experiencing suicidal thoughts and came to the ministry to help in any way she could.
As disoriented as she was, Thomas remembers the kindness that lifted her spirits.
When she walked in and asked if the team needed any help, a woman placed her on the coffee machine.
“And as I worked, the depression, the suicidal thoughts, they just disappeared,” Thomas said.
Thomas enjoyed volunteering at Samaritan Ministries so much that she never left.
She’s been a loyal volunteer for 42 years.
She volunteers one day a week and works on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and her birthday on Jan. 2.
At 72 years old, Thomas supports Samaritan Ministries’ mission to provide food, shelter and hope through Christian love.
“The Lord has given me a discerning spirit, and I can feel hurt and pain … Sometimes [I will] embrace them. I love to hug,” she said. “I’ll hug them, and I’ll tell them something encouraging … letting them know that all is not lost. You can make it.”
“She means so much to us because she is here for the right reasons. She is here to serve others. She has a true servant’s heart. She prays over our guests. She prays over our volunteers and our staff. She is such an encouragement to be in this place,” Samaritan Ministries Executive Director Jan Kelly said.
Thomas’ dedication is why she’s the 2024 recipient of the Myrtie Davis Lifetime Volunteer Servant Leadership Award.
“It’s a blessing. It’s an honor, but I’m not doing it for the award. I’m doing it because I love the Lord and because I see people that are hurting, and they need help,” Thomas said.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available.
You can call, text, or chat 988 to get connected to the suicide and crisis lifeline.
It’s free and available 24/7.
Thomas plans to volunteer for as long as she can.
You can learn more about volunteer opportunities at Samaritan Ministries through its website.
Approximately 300 people in the community are fed lunch from the Soup Kitchen each day.
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