Each Spring many of us get busy, and every weekend is full. For many organizations, including Bethlehem, the change in seasons and more favorable weather provokes volunteer groups to "just do it": to organize a can drive or outdoor event or clean up the grounds, or to find a place to offer willing and eager hands. Feed America First loves these opportunities, and we want to share what we are doing.
Feed America first organized Canned Food Drives at Woodland Middle School and Grassland Middle School, and they met the challenge by collecting close to 5,000 pounds of non-perishable food, with an award-winning performance by Amanda Boone's Grassland Group. Many thanks to Amanda and to Sue Hooper of Woodland for their leadership, and our deepest gratitude to the hundreds of students and their parents who were so generous to support this effort.
All of the 5,000 pounds of food was dumped on the floor of the Banquet Hall at Bethlehem, to be sorted and grouped to assemble food boxes. Thanks to the leadership and organization of Dave Speer, and the support of Jason Sansbury and the Youth Group, of Jeff Pettus and the Brentwood Services Cycling Team, and members of our congregation, 217 food boxes were assembled by 79 volunteers for distribution to families in need in Williamson County.
Willie Otey and legions of volunteers from the Empty Hands Fellowship, Strong Tower Bible Church and others in the Franklin Community organized their fourth annual Spring family event on Natchez Street in downtown Franklin, TN on Saturday, March 31st. Feed America First provided the 217 food boxes generated by the Can Drive, as well as beverages, rice, and baked goods for the hundreds of families attending. Besides food, the afternoon event featured clothing and furniture available for donation, plus live music and lots of love for our neighbors from the community.
