By MIKE FLETCHER
More than 200 families were greeted with an early Christmas Saturday, including a free hot meal and other goodies, as part of the sixth annual Day of Love at Grace Memorial Institutional Church of God in Christ.
“We saw the need,” Pastor Wendell Brown said of the day of helping.
The members of the church on North Delphos Street have always given to the community as part of its monthly food pantry started in 1993 by the late Bishop Milton Hall, but once a year they throw a bigger bash for the holidays.
Along with a hot meal, guests were treated to a basket from the church’s food pantry, as well as clothing.
“It used to be about giving gifts and toys and other items, but the people said what they really needed was food,” Brown said. “So we streamlined it down to this.”
By noon, Brown said 189 families averaging six people per family received food baskets.
“We’ve seen a lot of large families come in today. It’s getting bigger and bigger each year.
“What’s bothering me is will we run out,” Brown said. “We don’t want to send anyone home hungry. At the end of the day I’ll be tears if we do.”
Pastor Brown’s wife, Tarita, is hoping it won’t come to that.
“We have enough for about 202 families,” she said. “But we don’t want to turn anyone away.”
All of the food items and clothing were donated by church members and distributed by some 70 volunteers.
“It’s a blessing,” Tarita said of the hard work put in by the volunteers.
“This is a day for the church to reach out to the community and spread the word of God,” Elder Jeffrey Minor said.
“No one should be without during the holidays.”
“I think it’s nice,” said Paul Fisher, who waited in line at the pantry. “It’s a good thing to do especially around Christmas.”
Quentin Brown and his brother Kyle, also got into the spirit of giving.
The brothers helped carry out boxes to people’s cars during the day.
“It’s a way to give back to the community and spread the word of God,” Quentin said.
“Not only is it about spreading God’s word, but showing the community we care and invite them to come back on Sunday’s and worship with us.”
Mike Fletcher may be reached at (765) 454-8565 or via e-mail at mike.fletcher@kokomotribune.com
