The revving of motorcycle engines could be heard blocks away from the United Community Ministries Shelter on Saturday as a local biker club rallied to provide hearty meals for the less fortunate.

Members of The Street Soldiers Motorcycle Club held the free cookout for more than 100 shelter residents, area bikers and families that currently reside at The Bassett Center.

The humidity during the cookout kept guests constantly fanning themselves, but the scorching sun, partially hidden by the park’s trees, was no match for the music, laughs and savory aromas in the air.

Leta Lacey, shelter manager and residence service coordinator, said she has been working with the Street Soldiers Motorcycle Club for more than a month to bring the festivities to the residents. She did not talk for long, saying she was eager to do some more dancing.

“I’m having so much fun,” she said. “In down times, gestures like this can really boost someone’s spirit.”

Terrance Dickens, a Street Soldiers road captain, said he and some of his colleagues had been up since 4 a.m. prepping equipment and cooking. The cookout is a yearly tradition held during the organization’s birthday celebration, which started Friday.

The club is locally based, with 32 members in Rocky Mount, Tarboro and Greenville.

Saturday’s outing was the first service project that the bike club has held in the city. Proceeds from the club’s charity ride and poker run, which took place during the cookout, will go toward funding needs for the shelter.

“It’s all about fellowship and helping the next man,” Dickens said, wiping trickles of sweat from his forehead. “We wanted to give (the shelter) a day where they can save their resources and just have fun.”

The fun in the sun served as a “much-needed” break for shelter resident John Wiley, 66.

Wiley, an 11-month resident of the United Community Ministries Shelter, viewed the lively afternoon as a day off from work. But the smoked barbecue and grilled chicken was enough to make him think twice.

“It’s tempting, but I think I’ll let them handle it,” he said.

“Papa John” — the nickname many shelter residents call Wiley in the soup kitchen — usually cooks seven days a week, and three meals per day for the shelter. He said he enjoyed the liveliness on the park grounds and seeing some new faces.

“I can’t remember the last time when this park was filled with so many people,” he said. “Everybody’s having a great time without a care in the world. I can tell this was needed.”

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Street Soldiers at Shelter