Often events for the community begin with a spiritual fire at a local church and that is how Saturday’s event in Tracy Park in Portsmouth began at Swauger Valley Freewill Baptist Church.
“It was kind of like a fire that just sort of started,” Seth Simpson, a teenager at the church said. “We wanted to help our community, because our teens went around and we found out some things. We found out that there is over 200 homeless people just in our county. So a fire really just started in the church and we just wanted to come out and help.”
And help they did – young and old alike in a workmanlike manner allowing their love to be reflected in the service they were anxious to offer. A short prayer kicked things off, then it began.
Volunteers from the church gathered Saturday morning to serve food and provide clothing to the area homeless and needy. People brought their cars, trucks, SUVs, and then began to unload boxes and bags, food and dishes and place them on portable tables which they also brought along.
“We’re hoping to feed the needy and we’re going to do a clothing giveaway, and just hope we can be a blessing to somebody today,” Sandy Dyer, a member of Swauger Valley Freewill Baptist Church, said. “Everyone came together to help.”
Volunteers organized the food as well as carton after carton of soda, snacks, and smiles to go along with it all.
“The church provided the bulk of it, so people could give and make soups, and we’re making sandwiches,” Dyer said. “Everybody contributed.”
There was no hesitation when asked why the church organized such an event.
“We want to show the love of Christ to the community and hopefully help a wounded community,” Dyer said.
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