Published: December 01, 2006 03:51 pm      

Court Drive Church of Christ heeds calling with food bank

PALESTINE — As the costs of gasoline and utilities have continued to increase, so has the need for local food banks such as the one at Court Drive Church of Christ.

According to Ken Brewer, head of the local food pantry, he and the 25 volunteers that assist the ministry have noticed a big increase in the number of families seeking help from them.

“I have been doing this for several years and this year has been the busiest,” Brewer said. “Even people who work and bring in a regular income are having trouble making ends meet.”

The reason, Brewer said, for that increase in need are the continually high utility and gasoline bills families are faced with each month.

“They don’t seem to have enough funds to stretch their income to pay for utilities, gasoline and food,” he said. “So they come to us for help.”

The Court Drive Church of Christ Food Bank distributes food to 350 to 400 families a month during their regular bi-monthly distributions. While the distribution is based on need, Brewer said few are turned away.

“We are a small congregation, but we do what we can,” he said. “That is what the church is all about.”

While the church covers the food storage and utility costs, the ministry relies heavily on the community for donations to stock its pantry. And with the holiday season in full swing, that need is even greater.

“At our Thanksgiving distribution, we fed 177 families,” Brewer said. “Our next distribution is Dec. 14 — right before Christmas — and we are expecting another big giveaway.”

The food bank accepts donations of both food and money to help support their ministry. Financial donations, though, give the pantry more food for the money.

“Most of our food is purchased from the East Texas Food Bank in Tyler,” Brewer explained. “It is actually better if we receive monetary donations because we are able to purchase food for about 14 cents a pound.”

Checks made payable to Court Drive Church of Christ Food Bank should be sent to Court Drive Church of Christ Food Bank, 1434 Court Dr., Palestine, TX 75803.

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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com