Drive-thru Easter basket giveaway set for Saturday
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WHEELING -- When Bethlehem Apostolic Temple Food Ministries annual Easter food basket giveaway had to be postponed a few weeks ago due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, Pastor Darrell Cummings knew the ministry would eventually reach out to area residents in some way to fulfill at least part of that mission.
This year's food basket giveaway has been rescheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday as a post-Easter "drive-thru" event due to health concerns associated with the coronavirus, according to Cummings. He said while the event was scheduled to be held earlier this month, they were forced to cancel it at that time due to public health concerns and social distancing associated with the coronavirus.
He said the food ministry has been given the approval to conduct the food basket giveaway as a "drive-thru" event only.
"We decided to put it off to Saturday, hoping things would be better. It's better to do something, than nothing at all," explained Cummings, who also is the pastor of Shiloh Apostolic Faith Assembly in Weirton.
"There will be enough food for a week for a family of four."
He said they will provide one food basket per vehicle, and each box will include a variety of groceries, including meat, fruits and vegetables, canned items, and possibly some household toiletries and cleaning items.
He said vehicles will be asked to enter the alley behind the Dream Center from Garden Street in effort to avoid traffic back-up on Main Street in front of the center.
"We are trying to work with the Mountaineer Food Bank who are going to be partners with us," Cummings commented.
He said volunteers will be wearing masks and gloves while loading food baskets into vehicles and maintaining a social distance. He said the event is being held on a "first-come, first-served basis" and there are no requirements other than to provide the names and addresses of the people in each vehicle. Cummings said they are prepared to help several hundred people during this difficult time.
"It's a tough time. ... It's (the crisis) affecting the church, it's affecting the ministry, it's affecting the finances, it's affecting everything," Cummings said.
"I don't want this virus to win. I don't want to say we didn't have it (the giveaway). We were delayed, but not denied," he added.
Cummings said if the giveaway goes well, they may try to conduct another one in another month or two.
The annual event, which was first held in 1990, has been known to help hundreds of families in need each year over the Easter holiday by supplying them with groceries, clothes and various other household supplies. For information about the event, contact the church office at (304) 233-8899.