Gastonia church addressing community needs with food, blood drive

Gaston Community Church is holding a food and blood drive to help assist food-insecure families and address the growing need for blood donations.

The church is encouraging the public to drop off nonperishable, boxed and canned goods to their food drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at 400 Airport Road. Clothing and personal hygiene products will also be accepted.

“The drive was put together primarily by the deacons in our church,” said Mark Tankersley, pastor at Gaston Community Church. “The food is being brought in and taken to B.R.E.A.D. Incorporated, which is here in Gastonia.”

B.R.E.A.D., Inc. will distribute the donations to families in need in Gaston county. For more information about the food drive, click here.

On Tuesday, OneBlood will host a blood drive at the church from 3 to 8 p.m.

“We hear there’s a shortage in blood drives,” Tankersley said. "OneBlood is going to do all they can to protect people who come here to give blood.”

Blood donors will receive a free wellness check, travel water bottle and $10 e-gift card. To schedule an appointment to donate blood during the drive, click here.

© 2020 Cox Media Group