Tidelines - Tidelines

Updated: Wednesday, August 17, 2005 10:09 AM EDT

Loaves and Fishes ministry helps feed the hungry

BY CAROL TRAPANI, Staff writer

Bill Spier, holding bag, sets up in the chapel parking lot at 7 a.m., advertising with a sign made by his neighbors, Pat and Dean Draughn. STAFF PHOTO BY CAROL TRAPANI

The food Bill Spier collects Saturday mornings from the Holden Beach Chapel parking lot is ultimately delivered to the food pantry at Brunswick Islands Baptist Church on Mount Pisgah Road in Supply.

Formally called the Loaves and Fishes Ministry, the food pantry at Brunswick Islands Baptist began six years ago with seed money from the Baptist Association, said Jim Brown who, with his wife, Betty, heads the program.

"We had two people show up for food six years ago," Brown said.

So far this year, Loaves and Fishes has served 5,479 individuals encompassing 1,434 families, he said.

"We've given out 8,444 bags of groceries" this year, Brown said.

"The need is out there."

Brunswick Islands Baptist receives food and other donations collected at Sharon United Methodist, Concord United Methodist, Calvary Baptist and Sunset Community churches, said Brown. The food Spier collects in the Holden Beach Chapel parking lot is delivered to Sharon Methodist, and then to Brunswick Islands Baptist. Food pantry hours at Brunswick Islands Baptist are from 3 to 5 p.m. the third Thursday of the month.

"We have 500 bags packed prior to opening," Brown said.

"We open the door and they keep coming through.

"The idea is what the Lord said: Feed the people. If they get through the door, they get the food."

Brown said if anyone is cheating the church, that's between them and God.

"You can't turn these people away. They're hungry," he said.

Brown, a deacon at Brunswick Island Baptist, said the Loaves and Fishes Ministry could use a few volunteers to help with packing and whatnot.

For more information, call the church at 842-8969.

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