With the help of volunteers, including First Presbyterian Helping Hands Food Pantry, Spring City United Methodist Church, the Rhea County High School Key Club and Student Government, the Golden Eagle baseball team and the RCHS boy's and girl's basketball teams, the Kiwanis Club of Spring City held another successful Christmas Food Box giveaway to local families in the community.
The annual holiday tradition dates back nearly 50 years.
The local groups teamed up on Friday, Dec. 14, at Spring City United Methodist Church to help fill the food boxes with various items, including bread, milk, eggs, rice, beans, cereal, sugar, peanut butter, jelly, canned goods as well as fresh fruits and vegetables among other key grocery items. On Saturday, Dec. 15, volunteers were on hand to help give out the boxes to families who pre-registered for the event.
All told, each boxed weighted approximately 75 pounds and would cost roughly $55 to purchase in the grocery store.
Officials said that they were blessed to be able to help 156 families this year through the annual program and expressed their gratitude for all who helped to make the event possible.
"This is always one of our favorite events but it couldn't be possible without the generosity of the residents and businesses in the area that help us purchase the items for the food boxes," officials said.
RCHS head baseball coach Rusty Ray said the team always looks forward to the event and the opportunity to serve those in the community who support students and families here in Rhea County throughout the year.
"This is about our fifth year helping out with the annual Christmas food box program. We always look forward to coming and helping out with such a great cause for our local community," Ray said.
The Kiwanis Club said they appreciate being able to show God's love and be a blessing to those in need while making their Christmas a little brighter through this annual project.
In addition to the annual Christmas food box drive, the Kiwanis Club of Spring City also sponsors the Komputers for Kids program, the RCHS Key Club, the Builder's Club at Spring City Middle School, the Bring up Grades Program at Spring City Elementary School, provides scholarships to seniors at RCHS, provides medical oral thermometers to families in need and provides books to pre-K students at SCES.
Christopher Hall, The Herald-News
One of seven apportioned giving opportunities of The United Methodist Church, the World Service Fund is the financial lifeline to a long list of Christian mission and ministry throughout the denomination. Through the Four Areas of Focus churches are Engaging in ministry with the poor with their communities in ways that are transformative.
