Ohio Valley ‘Stuffs the Bus’ To Help Bethlehem Apostolic Temple Stuff Stomachs

WHEELING - Wheeling residents helped "Stuff the Bus" with food outside the Elm Grove Riesbeck's on Thursday in preparation for the Bethlehem Apostolic Temple's Easter Food Basket Drive-Thru Giveaway slated for Saturday in North Wheeling.

Members of the church, which puts on the giveaway annually, helped collect the food, cash and checks donated by residents and shoppers to the effort.

The giveaway is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at the North Wheeling Dream Center, 407 Main St.

Wheeling resident Judy Barrick was among the many people who stopped by to make a money donation.

"This is the greatest church and community group in Wheeling. My church does a lot, but these guys are great at helping the community and individual needs in the area," she said.

Barrick said the church is blessed.

"We have to help each other. ... That's all that matters," she said.

Triadelphia resident Bob Neidhardt hopped out of his vehicle and quickly donated a box of groceries.

"I donated it because we don't need that food," he said.

The Rev. Darrell Cummings, pastor of the church, said the giveaway is a team effort each year with church members helping, local residents donating and businesses, such as Main Street Bank, Belmont Savings Bank, WesBanco Bank and more, donating money, and Riesbeck's and Krogers giving discounts, too.

He said now more than ever people need help to hold a nice Easter dinner. With the rising cost of food and gasoline, more need help. Saturday will be the church's 32nd annual giveaway. The food baskets will include a ham, vegetables, macaroni and cheese and pies. Hundreds of people typically show up to receive the free food.

Cummings said the church is a conduit between people who want to help and the people who need it.

"More and more people need it because of inflation and the effects of the pandemic," he said.

Among those helping with the collection were Fannie Davis of Bellaire, Cummings and wife Latisha Cummings, and Wheeling residents Diane Williams and Linda Pearson.