Southland Church in Steinbach is gearing up for its 9th annual Food and Clothing Drive, preparing to serve hundreds of people with much needed goods.
This year’s event takes place on the Friday following Thanksgiving, October 17th, and is free to everyone. Organizer for the event, Scott Rickey explains, “Our goal is to offer free food and clothing to individuals and families in need. Thanksgiving is a season when we stop to reflect on the many ways God has blessed us and as a church we want to show our gratitude to God by giving to others. This Food and Clothing Drive is a practical way we can do this. This event is open to anyone in the southeast who would benefit from this kind of support.”
Each person or family who attends will be supplied with large bags to fill with clothing for men, women and children of all sizes, shoes, winter jackets, snowsuits, boots, bedding, house hold items and even toys. Hampers are also given out. “Every family who wants a hamper will receive one and all of the clothing and food for the hampers are provided by donations from the people from Southland Church. Not only do they make these donations, but they serve as well. Over 450 people volunteered their time at the 2013 event and we expect that number to rise this year”, Rickey said. “We have volunteers of all ages including children ages 6-10 putting together bags of fresh potatoes for the hampers, many Southland Seniors sorting clothes, and all ages in between. Around 1500 people came out last year from the Steinbach area, Winnipeg and even a van load from The Pas. We had 700 people arrive in the first 2 hours and gave away close to 1000 hampers during the day. It’s great to be able to help so many people and we are praying that even more will come out this year”.
The Southland Food and Clothing Drive will take place this year on Friday, October 17th between 9am and 7pm.
