For 15 years, members of Deer Park Baptist Church in North Charleston have supplied hot and tired families with free lunch on move-in day at Charleston Southern University.
According to the volunteers, church member Bob Ketchem is the driving force behind the lunch tent. Ketchem, owner of Bob’s Viddles, said it’s a team effort. “It’s always free,” he said. “We just want to encourage people.”
The hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and cold water disappear in a hurry as parents and students come through the tent. Ketchem said, “We just want to reach out to the kids and give peace of mind to the parents that a church that cares is just down the road.”
Deer Park has ministered to CSU students in numerous ways over the years, including providing Thanksgiving dinner to students who couldn’t travel home for the holiday.