news-record.com

Mount Hope United Church of Christ has made donating to the hungry a little easier for people in the Whitsett area.

The youth group and others renovated the church to create a food drop-off site for the Burlington-based Loaves and Fishes Christian Food Ministry.

At first, the church was overwhelmed at the projected expense getting a bank-style drop box installed. Then church member Jeryl Apple decided to build one. He worked for more than 50 hours taking out a window and replacing it with a rust-resistant, secure drop box.

Now people can stop by the church at any time and place dry or canned goods in the drawer. The food drops into a large, shelved room where church members will bag and store the items. A staff member of Loaves and Fishes will pick up donations at least once a week.

Having a drop site in Eastern Guilford County should help the organization feed more people in the six-county area it serves.
“It’s hard for people in that area sometimes to get food to us,” said Brenda Ingle Allen, executive director of Loaves and Fishes.

The organization feeds 7,000 people a month, Allen said, and that number is growing as more people lose their jobs.

The church dedicated the drop site May 31 in memory of Edward A. Busick and in honor of the youth of Mount Hope United Church of Christ past, present and future. The drop box is engraved with the Bible verse “I was hungry and you gave me food.”

The site is accessible 24 hours a day on the Old Julian Road, basement side, of the church. The address is 2400 Mount Hope Church Road in Whitsett. Glass jars are not accepted.

The church is looking for volunteers to stock shelves and prepare bags for pick-up. For information call 697-1561.

The church is a collection site only. Individuals needing food assistance should contact Loaves and Fishes at 570-4668.

Contact Jamie Kennedy Jones at jamie.kennedy@news-record.com or 449-4610.