Church feeds those in need

Christmas season is full of stories about people doing good things for the less fortunate among us…but what makes this next report special is these particular folks have been helping out for a long time…and not just at Christmas.

Jose Sanchez, Reporting

It started as a little project by the Southern Baptists in the United States, but since the kitchen opened its doors in 1987, it has made thousands of rice and bean dinners for the poor and elderly.

Pastor Ashley Rocke

“Well first we started out we were only providing a meal for the elderly in the community. Then we moved off and we progressed a little and we started to provide more meals. So we’ve been doing two meals and another organization have been coming in different days to do other meals.”

For the past ten years the food has been cooked by Maggie Carter. Today the seventy-seven year old was presented with an award for the excellent work she has been providing.

Maggie Carter, Cook

“I started to make things and take to the poor house. I bake bread and I find myself active until come and take over this kitchen after pastor Brady appoint me to the directorship of the kitchen.”

“I feel good about it, you know. I feel really good. But still I’m working for the reward up there. But it was wonderful, everything I do I do it for the Lord.”

But while God may need our hearts, the kitchen still needs some donations. The funding that kept the dinner plates full has run out and the Baptist church needs a helping hand so it can continue its work.

Barry Jones, Pastor, West Street Baptist Church

“We had a grant from the U.S. for three years but it’s a non-refundable grant. That has now expired and now the locals will be taking on this ministry. We see the need for this ministry to continue. I want to say to the business people and those who can contribute, not only in cash, but sacks of goods or whatever. We surely welcome those goods we use it for a worthy cause. We also do other projects such as giving the elderly and less fortunate vitamins, medicare and stuff like that.”

The Christian Care Kitchen is located at eighty-three West Street. You can reach Pastor Jones by mail at P.O. Box 1159 or by phone at 75723.