GIFFORD — With the help of several community groups and businesses, Christmas came early for a few hundred Gifford residents Saturday. The River Fund’s Feed Everyone program took over the Kingdom Church of Jesus in Gifford for an hour to hand out chicken dinners and bags of gifts and necessities.
“It’s a blessing,” said Gifford resident Johnny Jones Sr., who comes out to the church regularly with his son, Johnny Jr., for food assistance.
Neither knew what they would do if not for The River Fund’s help and support.
“They’re great people,” Santa – aka Sriram Calloway – said of the Joneses. “They’re the reason why this work exists.”
The rain and wind Saturday kept some people away from the annual Christmas event. But that didn’t dampen the spirits of either the volunteers or the community.
Those standing in line to get a hot chicken meal complete with macaroni and cheese and country green beans, were serenaded by the volunteers, who took the opportunity to sing Christmas carols.
“We’re doing the best we can,” said volunteer Cristos Frank, as he worked to keep the dishes of food from getting waterlogged.
Tents were set up to keep the food and volunteers as dry as possible, though the rain came in on angles at times.
Along with a hot meal, the residents were able to pick up bags of fresh and frozen vegetables and go through the church to meet Feed Everyone’s founder Ma Jaya and get a bag filled with Christmas gifts, clothing and more food.
“It feels absolutely wonderful” to see the community’s support of the event,” Ma Jaya said.
Area businesses including Woody’s Bar-B-Q, Hale Groves, Panera Bread, and Donoghue and Holland Law Firm, donated food and the bags for the gifts, while organizations including Kashi Yoga, By the River, and The River Fund provided volunteers to help out.
“I think it’s a great thing,” Gifford resident Bertha Lofton said of the annual event and the twice-monthly food assistance Feed Everyone provides.
“I’m getting up in age now,” she said, adding that she would have to make do with less if not for the help.
Arthur Lee Brown, another Gifford resident to brave the weather Saturday, called the event “God’s blessing.”
With two grandkids and a wife at home, Brown said he does what he can to provide.
“We need a little something,” he said. “This is really a big help to me.”
