Friday is the final day for Bartholomew County families to register for the annual Love Chapel Christmas Pantry that will unfold for the first time in a drive-through format in the parking lot FairOaks Mall, 2380 25th St. in Columbus.
Registration is done via the Holiday Helpline at 812-375-2216 open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Friday. The pantry is open to all county residents in need.
Organizers estimate that they will donate more than 1,600 food baskets worth about $125 each, with distribution set Monday through Dec. 10. The baskets, containing a 10-pound ham, vegetables, soups, cereals, desserts and more, will feed a family of four for slightly less than a week, according to Kelly Daugherty, Love Chapel’s executive director.
The nonprofit Christian outreach serving families in need prepared 1,619 baskets last year and 1,517 baskets in 2018, according to Alicia Monroe, local Volunteer Action Center director.
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“So far, the registration numbers have been pretty much mirroring last year’s,” Monroe said. “And we have been pretty busy, which is normal.”
Volunteers will load baskets into applicants’ vehicles from an area near the former Carson’s at FairOaks, Daugherty said. Applicants will remain in their vehicles. They also will have the option to have prayer with volunteer clergy.
Daugherty added that preparations for the baskets began six months ago, including ordering the hams from Mariah Foods.
The pickup will include a twist of an outreach that Love Chapel regularly tries to provide its clients: masked face-to-face prayer (at a distance). Pastor Kristi Jones, senior pastor at Memorial Baptist, still is assembling clergy and lay Christians to pray for people during each shift of the pickup.
“We were originally hoping to do something like this at Easter, but plans fell through,” Jones said.
She added that more volunteers are still needed.
Christmas Pantry dates and times:
Monday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.
Dec. 9: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dec. 10: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.
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What is being provided at the Love Chapel Christmas Pantry:
• A 10-pound ham
• 1 dozen eggs
• Sugar
• Cooking oil
• Stuffing
• Gravy
• Potatoes
• Vegetables
• Fruits and Applesauce
• Cereal
• Granola bars
• Peanut butter & jelly
• Muffin mix
• Soup
• Macaroni and cheese
• And more.
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