That was the sentiment of the members of the Women’s Missionary Society of Eighth Street Baptist Church late Monday afternoon as they packed boxes of food to take to families in need.
“This is what the Lord told us to do - feed the hungry,” said Willie Phillips, president of the Women’s Missionary Society.
For the past six years Eighth Street Baptist provided food at Thanksgiving and Christmas for five families, said the Rev. Roscoe Harrison, pastor of the church.
“This year we’re going to take food to seven families,” Harrison said of their Thanksgiving efforts. “I don’t know how many we’ll have at Christmas.”
The recipients of the bounty are selected by members of Eighth Street Baptist who turn in the names of families having a hard time, Harrison said.
In the past the church had a difficult time in coming up with five families, because there were other sources of assistance, but this year was different, he said.
“We could have had more families, but we just didn’t have enough items,” Harrison said.
Monday, there was an assembly line of women packing boxes full of food for the Temple families.
First it was cans of green beans, moving from one woman’s hands to another and another as the boxes were filled. Next in the box were sweet potatoes, cranberries, corn, cake mixes and icing, rice, beans, greens and fruit. In addition to the nonperishable items, each family will get a turkey.
Gracie Harris was first in the assembly line, taking items as they passed to her, putting one in the box in front of her and passing the others along.
As the boxes filled it became apparent the deacons and trustees, who would show up later, were going to have a workout when it came time to pack those boxes into the church van in preparation of delivery.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to help those in need or who can’t afford to buy some of these items,” Ms. Phillips said. “This is just meant to supplement what they might already have.”
The Women’s Missionary Society also visits senior members of the church who are homebound, she said.
In a couple of weeks, the women will take each of the senior members of their congregation who can’t make it to church Christmas gifts and a little money, Ms. Phillips said.
Ms. Phillips said the need seems to be greater this year and food pantries are feeling the pinch.
This drive, she said, is intended to help any family.
“It doesn’t matter what race or if they’re members of this church or no church … we’re here to help them all,” Ms. Phillips said.
This Sunday, the people who made donations will be thanked and then the process will start over in preparation for Christmas, she said.
