Church food pantry teams up with businesses for giveaway

By WVUA 23 News Student Reporter Jeremiah Hatcher

If you passed by Grace Presbyterian Church Tuesday, you might have noticed more cars there than usual. The cause? A free food giveaway with a bonus hot lunch.

Loaves and Fishes is the food pantry at the church, and on Tuesday they partnered with The Good Charcoal company and Billy’s Cooking food truck. Together, they handed out free barbecue sandwiches to recipients at the food pantry.

Loaves and Fishes Manager Jennifer Sheppard said these events are always a blessing for the community, and the organization is proud to be part of helping those in need.

“So this is our monthly food pantry distribution,” Sheppard said. “This month, we have some exceptional guests. The Good Charcoal Company contacted us and said we would love to bring your clients hot meals. This is so incredible; what a blessing.”

Food pantry recipient Wanda Lee said its always great when churches look out for their community.

“I appreciate everybody who’s out here,” Lee said. “They’re out here every month. I come every month. I think it’s helping the community a lot. It’s feeding the community because everything is so high and stuff, and people need it.”

Founded in 2020, the Good Charcoal Company strived to bring hotter chemical-free coals to the United States while fighting food insecurity in Namibia. The company’s main focus is to improve the economic prosperity of farmers while restoring grassland habitats in Africa.