Restoration Church shares Christmas food boxes
Church members wait to deliver food.
By Nicole Burns for the FCT
East Franklin eighth grader Nicole Thompson summed it up best when she said, “We’re being the hands and feet of Jesus.”
Thompson was part of a group of about 25 people from Phil Campbell’s Restoration Church who distributed food boxes to four apartment complexes across town during December.
“We’re giving boxes of food to people for Christmas,” said PCHS sophomore Jacob Demastus. “I’m hoping this box helps people this Christmas.” This is the second year Restoration Church has done a citywide Christmas food distribution, although the church operates a monthly food pantry. Lead pastor Chris Burns said the Restoration Church Hope Center has been in operation since March of 2010 and is always open to anyone who is hungry. “Because we’re USDA certified and give away USDA food, there is a little paperwork we ask our clients to complete when they visit the Hope Center,” said Burns.
“We’re just out to help the community,” said church member Robbie Gann, as he helped unload boxes. “It feels amazing that the good Lord chose me to help do this.”
The residents of the three housing communities and Campbell Arms Apartments didn’t know the group was coming that December day. Church members showed up to surprise their friends and neighbors with a box of food and a Christmas chicken. If residents weren’t home, the group left flyers with instructions on how to pick up their box. “I think it’s God’s blessing that we’re able to give back to the community,” said church member Anthony Bonds.
The Hope Center at Restoration Church is located at 3140 Highway 237 in Phil Campbell and is open for monthly food distribution the third Saturday of every month. “We’ve found that the third Saturday of the month is when most people need that extra boost,” said Burns. “The month’s money has run out, and it’s another week before those checks come in. We don’t want someone choosing between buying food and buying the medicine they desperately need.”
The next Hope Center distribution is scheduled for Jan. 16 from 9-11 a.m. at the church.
