Published: October 15, 2009 09:19 pm      

Church opens doors to new food pantry

Our Town column

On Oct. 11, Court Drive Church of Christ officially opened the doors to its new Food Pantry and Fellowship Building. About 200 church members and visitors were in attendance for the opening ceremonies.

Among those visitors were special guest speaker Texas Ag Commissioner Todd Staples and his family. Staples gave a speech in honor of the opening.

“My job may require me to live in Austin, but Palestine will always be my home” Staples said.

Palestine Mayor Bob Herrington also was in attendance for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The food bank serves the residents of Anderson County.

“It is our desire at Court Drive to eliminate hunger in Anderson County one family at a time,” Court Drive minister Paul Jones said.

The church attempted do just that in 2008 by distributing 93,143 pounds of food and serving over 20, 000 people in Anderson County. This year the pantry has experienced a 12 percent increase in recipients likely in part to tougher economic times. The pantry’s cost of goods also has increased by 30 percent from 2008.

As a service to those who come to the food bank, volunteers are available to help people fill out applications for food stamps. Director Ken Brewer and countless other church members and volunteers help the community by distributing foods purchased from the regional food bank in Tyler. Other area merchants like Wal-Mart and Brookshire’s have played an important role through donating foods like breads and pastries to the food pantry.

In addition, other area churches help the Court Drive Food Bank through monetary donations, and financial support.

Court Drive Church of Christ has been converting the church’s sanctuary to serve as the food pantry for more than 10 years. The 4000 square foot addition to the church was completed this month, and it will serve as the new home to the food bank. On Oct. 8, the food pantry opened its new doors to the public for the first time. With the recent expansion of the church, stocking and distribution of food will be facilitated to better serve the community.

“We look to the White House to help us with national problems,” Staples said. “We look to the Capital’s house to help us with state problems. We even look to the courthouse to help us with local problems. What a blessing to be using the ‘Church House’ to help our community right here in Palestine.”

The food pantry is open every other Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. to distribute food. Extended business hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. every week.

The food bank is always in need of food, volunteers and/or monetary donations.

If you feel that you may qualify to receive benefits from the food pantry, or that you may want to help in any way, contact food bank director Ken Brewer at the Court Drive Church of Christ at 903-729-0196.



Class reunion set

The Palestine High School Class of 1979 will celebrate its 30th Reunion today and Saturday. Class members will gather at the Palestine Wildcat football game today.

Classmates will meet at Shelton Gin at 7 p.m. Saturday.

For further information or questions call Kelley Gurganus at 903-723-1270 or Bettye Chronister at 214-537-4933.



Thorn 60th Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Tom M. Thorn of Palestine celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary recently. The couple was married on Oct. 8, 1949.