Petrie Memorial Methodist Church’s Food Bank marked a milestone during its November distribution, providing food for 252 families in a single day.
While not the largest number of families ever served, it was the greatest amount of food, by weight, ever distributed through the church’s program, according to Linda D. Groves, Coordinator of the Food Bank.
The effort took place on Tuesday, November 11, at Petrie’s Community Outreach Building. Volunteers from several Todd County churches and other community groups, such as the Todd County Cooperative Extension Service, joined forces to unload, sort, and package food items after the Feeding America truck arrived early that morning.
Cars soon began lining up for the drive-through distribution, where volunteers loaded food directly into each vehicle. In all, 241 families received food in just 47 minutes — a reflection of the efficiency and teamwork that have become hallmarks of the program.
“This was a wonderful example of the Church being what God always intends for it to be; coming together to meet the needs of those who are hurting in the name of Christ,” said Rev. Willard Knipp, pastor of Petrie Memorial. “It was a beautiful thing to witness. There was such a spirit of joy because we know we can help make a difference for them, even though we know so many families are hurting right now.”
After concern was raised about the Food Bank’s inability to receive frozen meat through Feeding America for this month, Todd County residents responded in an outpouring of generosity. Cash gifts and donations of canned goods poured in, supplementing what the food bank was able to obtain through Feeding America. That community response helped make the record-setting November distribution possible.
Knipp noted that several churches have stepped forward to assist in recent days: Calvary Baptist, Elkton Baptist, Mt. Gilead Baptist, Pleasant Hill Church of Claymour, and Providence Church.
The Petrie Memorial Food Bank serves the community on the Tuesday of the second full week of each month. The average distribution for this year, before November, was 208 families per month, with a previous high of 225 in January. Organizers noted that this month included several first-time families seeking assistance — most likely due to the interruption of SNAP benefits because of the recent government shutdown.
The next distribution is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, at the Community Outreach Building. Donations of nonperishable food items or financial gifts are always welcome, and volunteers from any church or organization are invited to help.
