Memphis church helps feed 1,200 needy families

(WMC-TV) ? A Whitehaven church has big plans to help feed the city?s hungry families.

St. Paul Baptist Church has partnered with Feed the Children to help distribute boxes of food and supplies to 1,200 Memphis families.

?Each family will receive a 25-pound box of food, a 10-pound box of personal care items and a box of Avon products,? a church spokesman said in a written statement. ?The boxes are designed to help a family of four for up to one week.?

Volunteers will distribute the boxes at the church, 2124 E. Holmes Road, on May 16. Vouchers for the boxes can be reserved by calling 901- 346-5544. If you can't recive a voucher, food and supplies will also be available on a first-come, first served basis.

?The distribution is part of Feed the Children?s Americans Feeding Americans Caravan, which has helped more than 365,000 families across the country since it began in 2009,? the church?s spokesman said.

However, this isn?t the first time St. Paul?s congregation has helped the needy.

The church has operated a food pantry for more than two years thanks to donations from its members and a partnership with the Mid-South Food Bank.

?At St. Paul we take seriously the Christian directive,? Dr. Christopher B. Davis, the church?s senior pastor, said in a written statement. ?How dare we live off the fat of the land and not provide for our brothers and sisters who are hurting or trying to find their way out of a dire situation? We have been so richly blessed as a congregation that we would be remiss not to be a blessing to others.?

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