Food lines for the needy . . .

Submitted by

Gerry Clare, Roving Reporter

Journey Church Food Drive
Journey Church Food Drive

While many of us lined up for Christmas bargain shopping this weekend, over 250 people filled the parking lot at Sadler and South 14th Street this Saturday, waiting for food, distributed by the Journey Church.  Nearby, the Blood Alliance Trucks waited for donors.

G c 15According to Jonathon Mock, an outreach pastor for the Church, this program started in 2008 as a 501C3 program to feed the needy and expanded to include USDA and Second Harvest programs.  Food is distributed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and the third Saturday of each month.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays approximately 120 to 150 different people are served, as recipients can only come once a week.  On Saturdays, the line has averaged 250 to 300 people.  50,000 to 65,000 pounds of food is distributed each month to residents of Nassau County through this program.

The Journey Church buys food with its own truck and receives donations from groceryG C 14 stores and government sources as well.  The people distributing the food are carefully trained to meet the spiritual needs of recipient, share prayer sessions, and often provide counseling help as needed.

This Saturday, I spoke to several people on line.  Some had been coming regularly for several months to two years.  Others had just started that day.  The reasons for being there mostly centered around, unemployment, retirement with not enough income, medical conditions and bills, and people on social security or disability and not being able to afford food.  Many of these people were already on food stamps also.  Several people mentioned that their churches were also helping them make ends meet.

G C 12Jonathan mentioned that last week alone, 27,000 pounds of food were distributed.  It was his opinion that there have been increasing numbers in need over the last year or two.

G C 13
Marsha Williams directs people waiting

If you wish to help this effort or learn more go to www.authenticimpact.com.

December 17, 2012 7:09 p.m.