Church group give potatoes
Individuals were allowed to pick through the potatoes to get as many as they needed.
Photo by Timothy Ramsey
BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY
THE CHRONICLE
According to many sources, the eastern portion of Winston-Salem is dealing with high levels of food insecurities. There are a few organizations dedicated to helping this serious issue, but until everyone is fed, more help is always needed.
In an effort to assist in feeding the community, the Society of St. Andrew, an ecumenical hunger relief organization, along with Nehemiah Worship Center of Winston-Salem sponsored at 40,000-pound potato drop.
Potatoes were distributed to agencies that provide food to the community along with churches and to individuals. The drop took place on Friday, April 7, and Saturday, April 8, in the parking lot of Christ Rescue Temple Apostolic Church.
Nehemiah Worship Senior Pastor Paul Thombs said people in the United States waste millions of pounds of food every year so for him to be able to assist in helping instead of wasting feels good.
country of ours with all of the resources we have there are still people going to bed hungry,” Thombs said. “And right here in Winston-Salem it’s estimated that about a third of the population is not receiving enough food to eat. This is another way to just get resources to the people.”
The Society of St. Andrew has been having this potato drop in the city off and on for about 15 years, according to Thombs. He wanted to give a special thank you to the Christ Rescue Temple for allowing them to use the parking lot for the drop.
“It’s so rewarding and we believe that we are our brother’s keeper,” Thombs went on to say. “For those of us that have the means, we have an obligation to give back when we can. We just hope this can impact the lives of people. I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day. I think we have to do some-thing that shows our Christian walk.”
The potato truck was running late because of an accident on U.S. Highway 52 and the unseasonably cool and breezy weather led to a slow turnout to begin the drop. Charlene Banks said she came to grab her share of potatoes but also to grab some for her elderly neighbors regardless of the weather.
“It’s greatly appreciated that the church is offering this opportunity because some people can’t even afford to buy potatoes,” Banks said. “It’s really beneficial to me because with the food stamps I get it’s not enough for me to always feed my family. This just helps to free up money to get other things such as milk or even medicine.”
