An extended service of the church Food Pantry that serves 7500 people in Roanoke

On Wednesday, Nov. 30, church members and guests will meet at Rosalind Hills Baptist Church (RHBC), 2712 Brandon Avenue in Roanoke, to pack over 300 boxes in preparation for their annual Community Christmas Party.  The packing will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the church’s fellowship hall.

Rosalind Hills Baptist Church sponsors a food pantry that serves more than 7500 needy members of their community each year. During the annual Community Christmas Party patrons of the food pantry are invited to enjoy breakfast, a Christmas show by the church’s children and leave with a box that includes a holiday meal and toys for any children in the family. This year’s party will take place on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 10 a.m. and is expected to serve more than 300 families in the area.

“Last year, as I helped carry a regular food pantry visitor’s box to her car I wished her a Merry Christmas. She turned to me and said, ‘No, this is more than Christmas, you’ve changed my life.’ That is why we not only sponsor the Christmas Party, but keep our food pantry open twice a week,” explained Brad Smith, senior pastor of Rosalind Hills Baptist Church.

In 2010, the food pantry served more than 2400 families in their geographical region which equaled 7500 people. It required approximately $20,000 in donations to purchase the 69,752 pounds of food handed out during regular food pantry operating hours. The cost of one box of food is approximately $12 to $15.

The food pantry and Christmas Party are possible due to the donations of church and community members. If you would like to donate to the Christmas Party or RHBC’s food pantry, please contact the church office at 540-344-7888 or mail your donation to RHBC 2712 Brandon Avenue Roanoke, VA, 24015.

Because the church receives a large percentage of food through the USDA food program, they are permitted to serve clients in the 24012, 24014, 24015, 24016, 24018 zip codes once per month. Non-perishable food is always needed to stock the pantry’s emergency food shelves. They distribute this food to those who are having a particularly difficult time and to those who are not presently living in one of the zip codes we serve with USDA food.

Submitted by Brad Smith.