Several hundred residents in Charlotte's Reid Park and J.T. Williams neighborhoods came together with officers from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to share an early thanksgiving lunch.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Dream Center and The King's Kitchen and Bakery hosted the day and served up a traditional thanksgiving meal to residents.  Charlotte Panther player Jonathan Stewart showed up and got some one-on-one game time in with some of the neighborhood kids.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Capt.Tonya Arrington said, "I think its important to show there is work being done with residents in the community and the police department.  There is a lot of positive things going on here in Charlotte."

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Toussaint Romain, another organizer, said, "With the help of incredible volunteers, this time will provide a true common ground to come together and eat alongside CMPD."

Bo Frowine from the Charlotte Mecklenburg Dream Center said his organization comes to Reid Park community every Saturday to do light yard work or repairs. "We thought this was a good opportunity to bring residents and CMPD to break bread together and just have a relationship."

Arrington said, "I don't think it gets any better to see the police department and residents come together.  You can see there is no division here on this day."

Cox Media Group