By Starr Munro: Riverbend News
It is a time of uncertainty for a lot of people in the United States of America. But if there's one thing Americans in smaller communities know how to do, it's how to pull together and help those in need. A variety of different churches from Hamilton, Suwannee, Columbia and Madison counties did just that as they came together on Saturday, Oct. 24, to distribute food to community members along the Suwannee River.
JT Bridges is the Director of Communications of First Baptist Church of Jasper. Bridges is a fourth-generation resident of Jasper and his favorite thing about his home town is how they all take care of each other. There are many more cities and towns in Florida that are financially more prosperous than his community, but those sort of places very seldom reach out and work together the way they did for the food bank. "They are richer in kindness and, last but not least, their faith," said Bridges.
In Hamilton County, churches and volunteers handed out over 24,000 pounds of supplies to help those in need. Eight hundred boxes consisting of chicken, hamburgers, fish, hot dogs, imperishable items, canned vegetables and milk were distributed among those in need. The Greater Poplar Springs Church food pantry contributed a large amount that was passed out. The palettes of food and milk supplied by sponsors, the Suwannee Baptist Association and the Florida Baptist Convention, were delivered to Live Oak in not one, but two semi-trucks. It was then picked up by various congregation members, pastors, youth pastors, and deacons and delivered by trucks and trailers to other leaders to pass out.
Community efforts like this are possible because of dedicated volunteers. These particular volunteers spent their Saturday working together and passing out the boxes of food that were distributed in a drive-thru style, to maintain social distancing. Citizens that acted as the brothers and sisters they see themselves as, worked side by side, people of every race, ethnicity and background came together for those who need a little extra assistance in the era of COVID-19. Bridges said the smiles and gratitude on the peoples faced who came by for a little bit of food security made all of their efforts worthwhile for anyone who volunteered to come out and help that day. "Even if only one person was reached in the name of Jesus, then that makes it worth it in every way," stated Bridges.
Although this food distribution was not an annual event, the churches do plan on having more in the near future. This type of service was the first of its kind ever done in the area and was a great success. The churches from Hamilton County that participated were: Jennings Missionary Baptist Church (250 boxes), Journey Church of White Springs (200 boxes), Greater Poplar Springs Church and First Baptist Church (350 boxes and more than 100 grocery bags between the two churches). Churches and community efforts from Madison, Suwannee and Columbia counties also participated.