Asheboro Civitan Club names Kenita Matthews-White ‘Citizen of the Year’

By Dan Reeves / For Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Dozens gathered at Our Daily Bread Kitchen to celebrate and recognize Kenita Matthews-White.

Her unwavering dedication to serving the community and helping the less fortunate has earned her Citizen of the Year from an Asheboro chapter of Civitans International.

Matthews-White, surrounded by Asheboro Civitans Group members, family, friends and staff from Our Daily Bread Kitchen, accepted the honor after testimonials detailing not only her work with Grace Given, a nonprofit organization she founded, but her spirited, faith-driven disposition. Matthews-White does it all with Grace Given. She provides necessities for those in need by washing and delivering clothing, shoes, and shelter.

Matthews-White facilitates medical exams, finds jobs and connects people in the community with mentors to help in every aspect of life. And she prays for and with the tired and hungry with vigor and boundless love.

Her work feeding and housing homeless people and families, securing health insurance and finding employment for those in need through Grace Given caught the attention of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.

A short video featured a highlight reel of her service showed Matthews-White in action, driving her Grace Given branded RV to wooded locations where homeless families sought shelter, walking individuals into medical care facilities and serving warm meals at Our Daily Bread Kitchen in Asheboro.

Blue Cross Blue Shield donated $10,000 to Matthews-White to enhance the service she provides through Grace Given.

“She’s going to take care of people; that’s her nature,” one testimonial said.

Following the video, Our Daily Bread Kitchen president Gene Woodle and others spoke about Matthews-White’s impact on the Asheboro community.

“She hits the ground running,” Woodle said. “People come here to see Kenita.”

The Asheboro Civitans Group awards the honor of Citizen of the Year, “but this occasion was unlike any other,” Sandra Jernigan said. “Kenita is a spitfire who hits the ground running for our community.”

Civitan International is an organization of volunteer service clubs around the world dedicated to helping people in their communities.Civitans help wherever the need arises — from collecting food for a homeless shelter to volunteering at their local retirement home.

Before the gathering to honor, thank and award Kenita Matthews-White the title Citizen of the Year adjourned, the Civitans Creed was read aloud.

Within each of the 12 short parts is a promise of service and fellowship to uphold, build good citizenship, and, at its core, follow the Golden Rule.