DALLAS (1080 KRLD)- A church in East Dallas hosted a vaccination clinic Friday with the intent of reaching people who may not have access to transportation to reach larger events at Fair Park or Potter's House. St. Luke Community United Methodist Church offered drive-thru vaccinations and accommodated people who walked up.
"I think that's important that it meets people at their point of need," says Senior Pastor Richie Butler.
Butler is also the founder of Project Unity, a non-profit started in 2016 that now works to expand access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Reservations were required, and some in the line say they were hesitant to get the vaccine at a larger location, saying they knew the volunteers working at St. Luke.
"It makes me feel a lot more confident," one woman said. "I already had some anxiety about the vaccine in general, and the less anxiety-inducing the process is, I think the better for everyone."
Project Unity partnered with the City of Dallas and Catalyst Health Network to provide the vaccine. Catalyst Health Network is a group of primary care doctors with offices in North, Central and East Texas.
"Our purpose is to help communities thrive, and that means all," says Catalyst Health Network President Christopher Crow. "It's been very important to us to reach out to communities in need. They don't have the same access to care or affordable health care."
Crow says he is working with other organizations to set up future vaccine clinics at smaller locations to reach more people in their neighborhood.
With additional people getting vaccinated, Butler says he is also planning an Easter celebration Sunday at Klyde Warren Park.
St. Luke Community UMC will host services at 9:30 and 11:30 Sunday morning, able to accommodate 750 people each
"As a pastor, to preach to a camera every week, has been a challenge, and I know it's equally challenging for our people to not be in the same space," Butler says. "It's so meaningful to connect with fellow believers, friends and family, to just give you a hug or see a smile. It does something for the human heart."
Masks will be required, hand sanitizer will be provided, and spaces will be socially distanced.
"This definitely helps send a message of hope that we're not out of this, but we are so close. It's sort of like playing a football game. We're in the Red Zone, so we're about to score," he says. "This is a form of resurrection unto itself."