Food for Life serves families despite Matthew

On the second Saturday of each month Journey Christian Church in Apopka provides food, meals, clothing and more to families in need. Last month the ministry served the needs of 121 families.

The preparation for this ministry happens on Thursday and Friday. Hurricane Matthew made the normal preparation for the October event, which involves up to 75 volunteers, impossible.

"We knew we had to cancel the event because of Hurricane Matthew," said the program's coordinator, Chuck Shegda. "But we did not feel good about it. We were certain that families in need might still show up."

So on Saturday morning Shegda and four other volunteers agreed to be on-site from 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM, just in case.

It was a good decision as six families came and received much-needed food items.

"Six families does not sound like much," said Shegda. "But when you show up and trust God, we served the families. He sent us families who were desperate. They were unable to stock up before Matthew hit. What I heard from the volunteers was how thankful they were for God's mercy with Matthew and how that motivated them to serve."

According to the Journey Christian Church website, Food for Life is a monthly ministry to dozens of families who are looking for food, prayer, compassion and hope in Jesus. Food for Life is led and administered by members and volunteers of Journey Christian Church.

Food For Life distribution days are held on the second Saturday of each month from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

All items are canned, non-perishable items that can be safely stored until needed. The target goal for Food for Life is to resource 160 families each month with enough food to feed a family of four for one week.

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This is only one example of how Apopkans stepped-up to serve the needs of others before, during and after Hurricane Matthew. If you know of other stories that need to be told please let us know.