By Danny Federico
Riverbend News
Times are rough enough with cases of COVID-19 breaking out across the nation. Jobs are being shut down, schools are being taught through virtual classrooms and just going grocery shopping has even turned into an ordeal many are tired of dealing with. It’s a blessing that people are going out of their way to come up with new ways to help their communities, especially during this pandemic.
To ease some of the strain on their fellow community members, the Gethsemane Church of God in Christ (COGIC), located at 1018 Northeast Duval Street in Live Oak, partnered with Y.V.S. Foundation of Hope to organize a community food bank, which will occur on the first and third Tuesday of each month and will operate from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Their latest food bank occurred on Tuesday, Oct. 20. There, Yvonne Scott, president of Y.V.S Foundation of Hope; Marilyn Jackson, vice-president; and Elder Oliver Jenkins, pastor of Gethsemane COGIC, were found at the head of the operation, handing over plastic bags filled with food and filling trunks of cars that drove up to their table stationed outside the church. Norman Crawford, community advocate, was also by their sides helping to transfer bags of food from the table and into the hands of those in need. By ll a.m., they had already handed out 400 containers of nourishing goods.
On the inside of the Gethsemane COGIC, behind-the-scenes, Leandra and Amado Henderson could also be found lending a hand. They had gone out to the church on their 25th anniversary, which was also Amando's birthday, to help with the passing out of goods. These men and women are an important part of the community and shine a bright light in a world with so many patches of darkness.
For more information on the Gethsemane COGIC Community Food Bank or to volunteer time or supplies, please contact: Yvonne Scott at (386) 339-9188; Marilyn Jackson at (386) 855-0797; or contact Elder Oliver Jenkins at (386) 364-3661.