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Hundreds Line Up At Annual Bethlehem Temple Food Basket Giveaway in Wheeling

Photos by Scott McCloskey Volunteers provide assistance to the hundreds of people who made their way through the food line during the 29th Annual Bethlehem Temple Food Ministries Thanksgiving Food Basket Giveaway Saturday morning.

WHEELING — Hundreds of people waited in a line that stretched nearly a block long prior to the start of the 29th Annual Bethlehem Temple Food Ministries Thanksgiving Food Basket Giveaway.

The Rev. Darrell Cummings, senior pastor at the church, said the large crowd shows the desperate need for assistance by many families in the local community during the winter holiday season. The event was held at the North Wheeling Youth Center Saturday morning

Cummings said this year’s giveaway had a much higher-than-normal turnout, as more than 790 people made their through the center. He said the giveaway provides Wheeling-area families with the supplies they need to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and they are just trying to do everything they can to help provide extra assitance during what is suppose to be a joyous time for families. In addition to giving away hundreds of turkeys and a large variety of food, clothing, shoes and boots were also offered to the waiting families — some with young children.

“They start lining up early, and it speaks to the desperation,” Cummings said.

Prior to the start of the give-away, Cummings and dozens of volunteers joined hands inside the youth center as he offered comments of thanks and a brief prayer. Shortly after, he made his way to the outside steps of the center and offered a blessing to the hundreds of people waiting to fill a food basket. He said the line of people began forming several hours prior to the event.

Cummings was quick to point out that the food basket giveaway is a community effort. He said the event is made possible by the financial donations of community sponsors and the dozens of volunteers who turn out to provide assistance.

Prior to the start of the event, he explained to the volunteers that they are like “angels” who are making a difference. Nearly a dozen members of the Wheeling Police and Fire Departments and the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office were also on hand to provide any needed assistance.

Church members and volunteers have handed out about nearly 30,000 pounds of food at previous giveaways, according to Cummings.

“We still believe that a family that eats together, prays together, has a better chance of staying together. Our biggest challenge is that in three weeks we will be doing this again,” he added, while speaking about the church’s Christmas basket give-away. “But God’s going to make a way and it’s going to be alright,” he added.

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