HENRYVILLE — On Thursday, a simple fishing contest and a free dinner helped to bring a community back together.

First Baptist Church of Henryville has spent the past week hosting “To Henryville With Love,” a series of events and dinners that replaced the church’s annual mission trip. The series is meant to give comfort following the March 2 tornadoes which devastated the small town.

“This week they have been giving back to the community any way they could … basically a mission trip here in Henryville that our church is going to do for everybody instead of going to a foreign country or to another state,” said church member Victoria Paschall. “ They’re just going to do it here where our people need it, and show them that we love them and that we’re still here for them through it all.”

Previous events during the week have included a spa day and cake decorating class. A youth night took place Friday, and Saturday will feature an all-day fair, including an open food pantry and breakfast in the morning. The church has also donated various items — including storm shelters — to people within the community, and regularly performs lawn work and other manual labor.

Reaction from the community has been positive thus far, with a turnout as large as 500 people in one night.

“We keep laughing — you know, Jesus and the parable about the loaves and the fishes, and this — we have needed loaves and fishes,” said church member Stella Valentine. “Especially Monday night, because we didn’t know what to expect, and we underestimated, but we pulled it off.”

Valentine believes that ‘To Henryville With Love” is something the community was in particular need of after the tornadoes struck earlier this year.

“Some people don’t have the means and don’t have the family to get things done, and that’s what we’re there for,” said Valentine. “We want to be a light to the community, and we want to do what God intended us to do and take care of our neighbors.”

A particular benefit of the week has been people connecting with others who share their experience, according to Pastor Toby Jenkins.

“There are a lot of people that have the same stories but don’t realize it,” said Jenkins. “There are a lot of people who don’t realize there’s a man and lady over here who lost everything, too. And so it’s kind of just getting people together, get them talking, fellowship and having fun and mingling — that was our desire.”

Organizations from around the community have responded to the need, with several — including Famous Dave’s, Cracker Barrel, Texas Roadhouse and Papa John’s — providing catering for the dinners.

The community is especially in need of trees and plants after the physical destruction caused earlier in the year. McCoy’s Nursery and the Feed Store and Nursery in Charlestown, Old Time Greenhouse in Otisco, Grant Line Nursery in New Albany, Earth First in Sellersburg and Jerri Mull, a private donator, all contributed. Plants will be distributed to community members in need.

Some have found particular inspiration in those who donate despite their own losses.

“I think it’s great that the church has been able to provide support for the families of Henryville,” said Tom Cole, a church member. “You know a lot of people at the church were affected by the tornadoes, and they’re the ones still helping and donating their time. It’s pretty neat, it’ s encouraging to see people doing that for one another. “

Jenkins said that the work of this week is ultimately just a part of a simple overall mission.

“We want to show our community that First Baptist Church of Henryville loves them, because Christ first loved us, and that’s what this is all about.”

— Sarah Griffin is a freelance journalist and Indiana University student.