Mint Hill church giving away free gas, grocery cards on Good Friday

MINT HILL, N.C. — A church in Mint Hill carried on its tradition of giving away free gas cards to help those in need, and some drivers also received free groceries this year.

New Beginnings Church held its sixth annual Fuel for the Soul Plus event on Good Friday.

The church gave away $25 gas cards and $25 grocery cards. The first 150 drivers received one of the cards. The church said there was also be a drawing for a $500 grocery card.

(Click PLAY to watch first driver receive gift card)

Dave Hartsell was the first driver who arrived, at 3:30 a.m. Friday, to get one of the cards. He said the extra $25 goes a long way.

"Nowadays just on Social Security, every little bit helps, and I think it's a blessing they do this," Hartsell said.

Rev. Twanna Henderson of New Beginnings Church said he and his wife started the giveaway six years ago during the recession as a way to give back to the community on Good Friday.

"The message is that there's hope, that there's still hope and that there is unconditional love,” Henderson said. “We're not asking for anything back. There's nothing that they have to do."

They said there is a huge need, so they may expand the giveaway next year to the church's two other campuses.

(Click PLAY to watch Chopper 9 on Facebook Live over the free gas, grocery giveaway)

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Cox Media Group