BROOKHAVEN — Reverend Jerry Durr said the Outreach Ministries is in its 35th year of service with Operation Blessing taking center stage Thursday afternoon. He said about 100 people or families got tickets for the day of ministry.

People were able to make their way through a line to get clothes, blankets, food and sanitary items. Those who were not able to get tickets were able to come after 2p.m. to come through the goods.

On-site ministry work at Outreach addresses the needs in the community through a food pantry twice a week and several big days of giving away items. Operation Blessing is the first big event before a day of giving on Thanksgiving and one later on in December for Christmas. Brookhaven native Jammie Stewart said COVID limited her ability to work.

“Operation Blessing means a lot for people who can’t afford things and may have lost out on work due to COVID or monkeypox,” she said. “It is nice they could help us out. I have bad asthma so it is hard for me to be around a lot with COVID.”

People were able to pick up packages of ramen, packs of meat, pastries and produce. Stewart grabbed some produce before she left.

Jeffery Montgomery was behind her in line as he picked up an apple and some potatoes. He has been in Brookhaven for about 30 years, he said.

“What they are doing is good. It helps us with the food they provide,” he said.

Under the shade of a tent, Rosanna Hunt waited for a minister to share the gospel message as she sat in a chair. She took a bite out of an apple and smiled.

Hunt has lived in Brookhaven for a while and said she has been coming to Outreach Ministries for a long time. They have made a good impact on her life, she said.

“It ain’t nothing but God. He is a blessing,” Hunt said. “The people helping us out and those in need. It is the best thing.”

One of the volunteers helping was Ilka Montgomery. She has given the past two years to serve people in the community through Brookhaven Outreach Ministry.

Her friend asked her to come down and serve one day. She did and has been volunteering ever since.

“It is a good feeling to serve people,” she said. “When the Lord puts something on your heart it is what you do. To help others. The more you give the more the Lord gives. It is a blessing to help.”