The idea of starting a food pantry at Union Hall Baptist Churchcame about with the Adult I Sunday school class looking for ways tohelp others.

“We wanted to collect food for people who needed it,” said LibbyRogers, a member of the class and a volunteer with the foodpantry.

The Union Hall Baptist Church Food Pantry began in October andhas been able to assist five families already.

A variety of food and household items started filling theshelves in the church’s fellowship hall when the class joined themission committee in a call for assistance.

“We collect the third Sunday of every month,” said Rogers.”Everybody’s been real good about helping.”

The food pantry is a project that exemplifies pastor Billy JoeDeer’s motto: “Do something for someone who cannot pay youback.”

“You know you’re going to receive a blessing, and they will,too,” said Rogers.

People in need of food can call the church office at 833-5784and leave a message.

Volunteers then meet the needy person at the food pantry andprovide them with food and other items, such as paper products andtoiletries, if they are available.

The food pantry volunteers hope to be able to help more peoplewith funds they will receive from the Holiday Food Pantry Fund.

“We’ve been praying that the Lord would open doors for us andenlarge our territory and He may be doing that with the foodpantry,” said Rogers. “We want Him to use us in ways we haven’tbeen used before.”

Rogers is thankful for The DAILY LEADER and Bank of Brookhavenfor starting the Holiday Food Pantry Fund, which concludes Dec. 19.She is excited to see so many people donating already.

“We appreciate everybody giving and sharing what they have,” shesaid.

The caring spirit is something she has witnessed at Union HallBaptist Church. She believes the congregation’s kindness has helpedthe food pantry immensely.

“We’ve got a real caring church who are real caring aboutpeople’s needs,” said Rogers.