Members of Newtown Congregational Church (NCC), 14 West Street, conducted a Contactless Pick-Up Mississippi BBQ Dinner for community members on Saturday, October 24.

Orders were required in advance, and the menu consisted of a $20 full chicken and shrimp dinner, an $18 full shrimp dinner, and a $15 full chicken dinner. Entrees came with a salad, roll, butter, and dessert.

All proceeds from the dinner went to benefit Back Bay Mission (BBM) in Biloxi, Mississippi, which works to strengthen neighborhoods, seek justice, and transform lives, as well as fight the effects of poverty, disease, and devastation caused by hurricanes in the Gulf Region. NCC has supported the mission since 2005, following Hurricane Katrina. That year, members responded to the historic storm by sending a financial donation to BBM.

NCC members began traveling to the Gulf Coast city the following year to provide hands-on help, doing what they can to shore up homes for those who live at or below the poverty level. The church continues to send financial donations, as well as clothing and toiletry items for BBM's homeless shelter.

This year's BBQ was done contactless due to COVID-19. In previous years, members have hosted full sitdown meals with similar menus, slideshows featuring photos from previous group trips to Biloxi, and presentations about the mission and its ongoing efforts.

For those interested in supporting NCC’s quest to support Back Bay Mission, call 203-426-9024. Checks can be mailed to NCC at 14 West Street, Newtown CT 06470, with the memo “Back Bay.”