Free bread, milk focus of community outreach

Courtesy photo

Bobby Rogers, 14, a member of First Baptist Church in Eagle Lake, helped advertise the church’s recent distribution of 2,000 gallons of milk and 2,000 loaves of bread.

EAGLE LAKE (FBW)—In an effort to help community residents through an economic downturn, First Baptist Church in Eagle Lake gave away 2,000 loaves of bread and 2,000 gallons of milk July 2.

The church’s 500 members raised about $15,000 for the food distribution, which Pastor Jeff Buchanan compared to Jesus’ “feeding of the 5,000.”

“Our church folks are everyday working class people who feel the pinch of expensive gas and food,” Buchanan said. “They know what it is like to try to make it through to the next paycheck.”

“Are You Hungry?” is the latest outreach in a succession of community events planned by the congregation.

In February, the church raised more than $11,000 to give away tanks of gas for residents, and a May block party drew 1,500.

The church tries to mount an event for its south central Florida town every other month, the pastor said.

Churches of several denominations have offered free or reduced-price gas in their neighborhoods.

In March, Jacksonville’s Murray Hill Baptist Church offered gas at fifty cents off the going rate of $3.26. Along with adopting nearby Ruth Upson Elementary School, the gas offer served to expand the church’s visibility in its working class neighborhood.

“I think people knew where the church building was, but not what we do here,” explained Jay Stuckey III, small groups minister at Murray Hill. “We want them to know they can find help here, whether it is spiritual food or physical food.”

In the July 2 food distribution in Eagle Lake, thousands packed cars that lined U.S. Hwy 17. Buchanan said many single parents were in line, who “didn’t know how they were going to feed their children this week.”

Particularly touching for church members was the large number of elderly ladies who asked for the food, some reportedly carpooling from a nearby assisted living facility.

“Some of these people were opening the bread and milk before they got out of the driveway,” he said.

While the cars were waiting in line, about 150 members of the church gave away popcorn, washed windshields, prayed with those waiting, and signed children up for the church’s Vacation Bible School.

Volunteers recorded 25 professions of faith and more than 300 children attended VBS—about 100 more than last year, according to Buchanan.