FAST FACTS:
(Memphis 2/2/2010) A new study released by the Mid-South Food Bank and Feeding America, reveals more than 180,000 people in our area receive emergency food each year.
That is a 26% jump in just four years.
One local church is organizing one of the biggest food giveaways in the city's history to help Memphis families in need.
Back in November New Bethel Temple, a church with around 50 members, provided Thanksgiving food boxes for 400 families in need.
Now the small church congregation is taking things a giant step further, teaming up with an international relief organization, to provide food and other essentials to thousands of families in Memphis hit hard by the economy.
"As we have seen in these economic times everyone can use a helping hand and I believe the event is properly titled "Americans Feeding Americans" in partnership with Feed the Children, which has been a great organization," said Gene Burse, a church member..
Feed the Children which recently launched "Americans Feeding Americans" has been traveling to cities across the country to help struggling families.
On March 24, 8 of its 18-wheelers will roll into Memphis loaded with food and hygiene products for 3,200 families.
The church is still working on a location, but is looking for around two hundred volunteers to help out.
"The foods will be in three boxes that will be able to serve a family of four. We just need volunteers to transfer the food from the semi trucks and put them in the hands of people and walk people to their cars and things of that nature," said Burse.
And New Bethel Temple is hoping the massive one day food giveaway will encourage other churches and individuals to reach out in big ways to those less fortunate in the community.
Church members say one of the best ways to serve God is by serving others.
Families will need to qualify to receive the free assistance. Vouchers won't be given out until March. To fill out a volunteer form just log on http://www.nbtministries.com.
- Some 200 volunteers are needed for a massive food giveaway in Memphis in March
- Feed the Children is bringing truck loads of food for 3,200 families
- New Bethel Temple in Orange Mound is helping organize the event
(Memphis 2/2/2010) A new study released by the Mid-South Food Bank and Feeding America, reveals more than 180,000 people in our area receive emergency food each year.
That is a 26% jump in just four years.
One local church is organizing one of the biggest food giveaways in the city's history to help Memphis families in need.
Back in November New Bethel Temple, a church with around 50 members, provided Thanksgiving food boxes for 400 families in need.
Now the small church congregation is taking things a giant step further, teaming up with an international relief organization, to provide food and other essentials to thousands of families in Memphis hit hard by the economy.
"As we have seen in these economic times everyone can use a helping hand and I believe the event is properly titled "Americans Feeding Americans" in partnership with Feed the Children, which has been a great organization," said Gene Burse, a church member..
Feed the Children which recently launched "Americans Feeding Americans" has been traveling to cities across the country to help struggling families.
On March 24, 8 of its 18-wheelers will roll into Memphis loaded with food and hygiene products for 3,200 families.
The church is still working on a location, but is looking for around two hundred volunteers to help out.
"The foods will be in three boxes that will be able to serve a family of four. We just need volunteers to transfer the food from the semi trucks and put them in the hands of people and walk people to their cars and things of that nature," said Burse.
And New Bethel Temple is hoping the massive one day food giveaway will encourage other churches and individuals to reach out in big ways to those less fortunate in the community.
Church members say one of the best ways to serve God is by serving others.
Families will need to qualify to receive the free assistance. Vouchers won't be given out until March. To fill out a volunteer form just log on http://www.nbtministries.com.
