JONESVILLE — It looked unlikely The Potters House would be able to hold another of its Truck Load of Food events after last month’s second round of assisting Union County families in need of food.

Second Harvest, the organization the Jonesville church receives food from for its events, was experiencing such a high demand on its food reserves it would not be able to provide Pastor Don Moore and volunteers with the needed food to hold a third event.

That didn’t, however, change the need here in Union County and Moore and volunteers turned to their communities for help.

And it’s help that flooded in.

“Miracles do happen,” Moore said. “The food for Christmas is on the way. Can by can, box by box — it has been a challenge to acquire this food, but our prayers and patience are paying off.”

The Potters House was able to secure enough to host a third food drive just in time for Christmas with the generous donations from local churches, businesses, organizations and individuals in and around Union County.

The December distribution day will be held Saturday, Dec. 19, at the church in Jonesville. A start time has yet to be determined, but Moore reports distribution could begin a little later than the previous events because of colder weather.

Again, families already registered for the first two Truck Load of Food events need not reregister but anyone still wishing to receive assistance and has yet to register will have the opportunity to do so before the 19th.

Registrations will be accepted 4-6 p.m. today (Wednesday, Dec. 9), from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 and then again from 3-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18. Families or individuals can register at the church in Jonesville.

Moore wants to remind people registrations will be taken the day of the food drive, but those who come on the 19th to register will be asked to wait in line until all those who preregistered are served — as long as food still is available.

The church already has more than 600 families registered and Moore is expecting that number to climb to 700 or more by the Saturday of the Christmas event.

And while this month’s supplies will be limited, Moore and volunteers plan to help as many as possible.

“We will give food out until it’s all gone, serving everyone we can,” Moore said, adding the need in Union County is so great he and volunteers have been brought to tears while serving those who come for assistance.

“Often there are so many families — hungry, cold, no money, no job, kids to feed and clothe,” Moore said. “We at The Potters House are humbled to be used by God to help them.”

The pastor also is issuing a challenge to Union County churches, businesses, organizations or individuals for this food drive.

“People are asking about turkeys and hams,” he said. “We all know how good it makes us feel to take that turkey or ham out of the oven on Christmas Day. If all area churches, businesses and individuals would donate turkeys or small hams, we would gladly pick them up and distribute them on the 19th as far as they would go.”

Moore said they could be of any size and if anyone would like to donate gift cards so those the event will serve can pick up their own that is fine, too.

Three additional freezers and two large refrigerators still are needed as well and anyone who would like to donate these items or food for the upcoming food drive is encouraged to do so.

Any donations will be used specifically for these Truck Load of Food events.

“All contributions are greatly appreciated and all will go toward feeding the people,” Moore said. “We are assisting families in emergency situations on an as-needed basis weekly.”

He also wants to thank all those who have already donated to make the events successful. He named several businesses and organizations including JBR Trucking, Tanglewood Missionary Baptist Church and Foster’s Chapel United Methodist Church as well as The Fresh Market in Spartanburg and Dollar General Stores of Union and Jonesville but said without the support of all those who have helped or currently are assisting the effort, none of it would be possible.

“Without these fine organizations and individuals, along with Second Harvest, our food bank could not exist,” Moore said.

He encourages anyone interested in helping with the food bank to give him a call at (864) 680-3465.