JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- There are only three days until Christmas, and for hundreds of Arlington families the best present isn't under the tree. The best present was at a church parking lot.
"We just want to reach out to the neighborhood and let them know how much we care," said Pastor Walter Brown.
Bethany Ministires partnered with the
Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida to give 9,000 pounds of food. And with dozens of helping hands this holiday, they were able to feed hundreds.
"It is the season of giving. And our Lord said it like this, it is more blessed to give than to receive," said Brown.
"They gave fruits and vegetables, and breads and eggs," said Donna Partridge. She was just one of the mothers who went home with a box full of food. "It's very helpful. I just had knee surgery, so it's helping us out a lot," said Partridge.
The Second Harvest Food Bank holds mobile pantries like this one twice a day. And they feed more than 31,700 people a week in 17 counties.
"This is what Christmas is about. And there is no better Christmas gift than to hand someone food knowing that otherwise they would go without on Christmas," said Sarah Hall with the food bank.
"I am so thankful. This is my Christmas," said Pastor Brown. And for the hundreds there, this spirit of giving really will make their season bright.
Next week Bethany Ministries will open its new Access Center where people can apply online for services. For more information, email bethanyjax.org or call (904)-465-0105 or (904)-616-5364.
