Washington church to provide food, games, community

Published 7:03 pm Tuesday, August 22, 2017

This Friday, plan to get supper from a food truck.

The Washington Assembly of God is debuting its newest event Friday night — Food Truck Fridays.

Food Truck Fridays will be open to the public and held on the last Friday of each month.

Daniel Haskett, senior pastor, said when he moved to Washington from the Charlotte area, he wanted to bring the popular food truck phenomenon to the community.

“We’re taking something other people have done in other areas and putting our own little spin on it,” Haskett said. “We’re just taking it and seeing where it goes.”

Haskett said Food Truck Fridays was a popular event in the Charlotte area, and he noticed there wasn’t really anything like it in Beaufort County. The church has a sizable parking lot and the correct facilities to host it, so he decided to make it happen.

Four food trucks will be available to the public on Friday night — Smash Waffles, Kona Ice, Taco Express and Shep’s Farm to Truck, according to Haskett.

Haskett said this event isn’t a way to make a profit; rather, it’s a way to get residents out in the community and enjoy one another’s company.

“We’ve really kind of tried to do it low-end budget. We’re not doing something for profit. The vendors will make money — we won’t. It’s just really a community thing,” Haskett said.

Haskett said he hopes the event will promote positive things within the community, and create a stress-free atmosphere for people to come have fun and eat good food. And if residents are looking for a church to join, they can find comfort at Assembly of God.

“Long term, our hope is it builds comfortability in the community, especially those who are un-churched. If [anyone] is looking for a church home, they know we’re here,” Haskett said.

However, Haskett emphasized that the event is not about gaining new members; it’s just a way to get the community together for food on a Friday night.

“It’s trying to erase certain stigmatisms that churches have. We’re normal people, we want to have fun and eat good food. … But again, it’s real low key. We’re not trying to twist anybody’s arms or make anybody feel uncomfortable,” Haskett said.

The event will have more than just food — this Friday’s event will feature games and activities for children, including an inflatable slide. Haskett said coming up in September, they’ll have a comedian, and in October, they’ll have an outdoor movie night.

“It’s a safe, safe place. That’s the biggest thing,” Haskett said.

The next food truck events are slated for Sept. 29 and Oct. 28. Haskett said he plans to take the colder, winter months off and pick the event back up in the new year.

“We’re just trying to do something a little different, something outside the box,” Haskett said.

Food Truck Friday is from 6-8 p.m. Washington Assembly of God is located at 2029 W. Fifth St., Washington.