CHARLOTTE — Easter is just around the corner, but with many facing high prices due to inflation, families are feeling overwhelmed as the holiday approaches.
[ ALSO READ: Food pantry anticipates higher need after decrease in food stamp payments ]
A northwest Charlotte church is looking to take that burden off the shoulders of deserving families and fill their pantries with food to make the perfect holiday dinner.
Mission City Church on Valleydale Road held its bi-weekly food distribution on Thursday, a date which fell right before Easter. In addition to the giveaway, there was also a walkthrough exhibit explaining the significance of Easter to everyone in the community.
Channel 9′s Anthony Kustura watched large teams of volunteers put together bags of food using community donations. Then, the volunteers handed the bags of groceries to deserving families.
[ ALSO READ: Food pantry anticipates higher need after decrease in food stamp payments ]
For people like Duane Weeder, a pastor at Mission City Church, the giveaway couldn’t have come at a better time. In the past few weeks, Weeder lost his COVID-era SNAP benefits, and his rent increased by $70. As of right now, he only has $40 in food assistance each month.
“It couldn’t have come at a better time when I really need the extra help,” Weeder said. “No doubt it’s really appreciated so much.”
Head pastor Kyle Dillard told Channel 9 that their outreach started during the pandemic and has remained strong ever since. Pastor Dillard believes that it boils down to loving your neighbor and community.
“The local church serves people; that’s what it’s supposed to do if they’re doing it right,” Dillard told Kustura.
>> For more information about Mission City Church and its next activities, please click here.
>> For more information about food resources, please click here.
(WATCH BELOW: Food giveaway in Union County helps people from different backgrounds)
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