Bethel-Baltimore Delivers 12,000 Pounds of Food
When the coronavirus pandemic fully hit the United States, Maryland Governor’s stay-at-home order went into effect in the middle of March. Ever since March 15, Bethel AME Church in Baltimore has conducted all worship services, prayer calls, Bible studies, meetings, and more either virtually or using teleconferences. Zoom conferencing technology allows Bethel’s pastor, the Rev. Patrick D. Clayborn, Ph.D. to see the congregation. Notwithstanding, seeing the bright and shining faces of loved ones cannot compensate for seeing a friend in person.
As an inner-city congregation with numerous “food deserts” nearby, Bethel-Baltimore knew early on the need to provide food to the community. As the Rev. Clayborn and the head of Bethel’s The Kings Table Outreach Food Ministry attempted to get a large food giveaway drive started at the church, they were met with frequent roadblocks in late March to mid-April. The largest hunger-relief non-profit in the state, the Maryland Food Bank, kept telling Bethel that there were enough food drives already in our area.
There is an adage that says, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” With much prayer and persistence from numerous Bethel contacts, the Maryland Food Bank finally saw the need in the area of the church. It was agreed that Bethel, in partnership with the Maryland Food Bank, would present a Community Food Giveaway for two hours on April 29, 2020, in the church’s back parking lot.
The five-day weather forecast for that day was a 65% chance of precipitation with a windy high of 66 ̊F. There was no rain contingency. The day turned out to be partly sunny with no rain, acceptable wind, and a temperature of 72 ̊F.
The food giveaway day began with prayer and volunteers. Eventually, more than 50 volunteers showed up including young and old members, new and veteran members, trustees, stewards, stewardesses, and ministers. Bethel provided masks and gloves to each volunteer. They were all instructed to keep proper social distancing. The volunteers set up numerous tables to establish the two main food delivery lines: one for the walk-up traffic and another for those driving.
The Maryland Food Bank tractor-trailer arrived and unloaded 12 pallets of food that weighed 12,000 pounds. The volunteers unloaded the pallets and placed the food on the various designated tables. The food consisted of onions, white and sweet potatoes, cucumbers, macaroni, carrots, frozen chicken parts, Cornish hens, stuffing, fruits, sparkling water, various beverages, light bulbs, cabbage, sour cream, and more.
As the food was placed on the various tables, a speaker was brought outside so the volunteers could hear the Pastor Clyborn’s Noon Day Bible lesson that was being broadcast on Facebook Live inside the church. Food recipients on foot and those in cars started lining up around 10 am even though food would not be given out for another three hours.
Just before the food giveaway began, Pastor Clayborn came to the parking lot to encourage the volunteers and pray. Wearing a mask and gloves, the Rev. Clayborn began greeting some of the people in both lines for the giveaway with proper social distancing.
Each person was given five to six large bags of food. Some of the young male volunteers carried the heavy food bags for the walk-up seniors to their nearby cars. A 13-year-old volunteer received community service hours for helping and a hearing-impaired driver in the car line was assisted by a member of Bethel’s Healing Hands Deaf Ministry.
In total, over 450 families were provided with food. The walk-up line extended several blocks long. With volunteer and police support assistance, the car line extended over five blocks. All the food was distributed and the day was a spiritual, emotional, and physical success. The head of the Kings Table Ministry said she was so blessed with the wonderful spirit of the volunteers and the gratefulness of the recipients. One volunteer said that it was events like this when the “Bethel Nation” shines. Bethel gets another opportunity to shine for the Lord with a second large volume food giveaway planned for late June.
During these continuing times of social distancing and virtual worship, there is something to be said when we can come together in service to the community. Though masked, eyes revealed appreciation and joy for servers and recipients. God was pleased!
