JONESVILLE — Pastor Don Moore of The Potters House in Jonesville reports the most recent food distribution event for those in need of assistance was yet another success.

The event — held on Saturday, May 28 — also saw not only a record-breaking amount of food to be given away but also a large number of items given to those in need of help from several different sources.

“We gave out approximately 26,000 pounds of food and drink and other items,” Moore said. “We had cases of water, sweet potatoes, apples, canned goods, juices, cereals, sugar, flour, Pampers, paper products, personal items, garlic toast, pizza, chicken, Lil’ Debbie snacks, deodorant, hair products, even fingernail polish — just to mention a few of the items.”

The pastor and Potters House congregation and volunteers were excited to be able to hand out so much to the people who need it the most.

“Well over 300 boxes were distributed to families representing about 1,200 people who will use the items,” Moore said.

The Potters House began its food distribution events last October when it opened its food bank. Since then, the church has served several hundred families — representing several thousand people — throughout Union County and the surrounding area who are in need of food assistance.

This month’s food and other items came from a host of sources, including the Dollar General store in Monarch and Second Harvest.

“We received yet another load from Dollar General in Monarch and 20 or more cases of Lil’ Debbie snacks from local distributor Oren Duncan,” Moore said. “And there’s more good news — we were able to shop at Second Harvest thanks to the generosity of yet another local church.”

The church received 11 more pallets of food from Second Harvest — a nonprofit food bank organization the church in Jonesville is not a member of — the Friday prior to the food distribution event.

Moore said the food bank even has a head start on its next food distribution event slated for later this month thanks to a food collection rally during the 2010 Union County Relay for Life.

“The donated items would have a retail value of more than $2,000,” the pastor said.

Moore and The Potters House hope June will be their largest food distribution event since the food bank’s beginning last fall.

The pastor thanked everyone who donated to the May food distribution event and all those who brought canned goods and other food items to the Relay for Life collection rally. He also reminded, however, the food distribution events and food bank wouldn’t exist without the generosity of local businesses, organizations and individuals.

Moore encourages anyone who is interested in getting involved with the food bank and its distribution events — whether its volunteering time to help fill boxes prior to a distribution event or donating food or funds to the food bank — to get in touch with him.

GET INVOLVED:

Anyone interested in helping feed those in need in Union County and the surrounding areas — in whatever way they can — should contact Pastor Don Moore of The Potters House in Jonesville at (864) 680-3465. Anyone in need of food assistance who has not already registered for the food distribution events also can call Moore to inquire how to do so.

FUNDRAISER EVENT:

Don’t forget about the upcoming fundraiser at the Potters House to help raise money and food for the church’s food bank and food distribution programs.

The daylong, first-ever annual food bank fundraiser will be held at the church in Jonesville on Saturday, June 12, and everyone is encouraged to attend and participate to help raise money to continue feeding those in need throughout Union County.

Several events and activities are planned for that day, including a yard sale. Anyone who wants to donate items for the sale or bring items to the church to sell and then make a donation to the food bank is encouraged to do so.

A car wash will begin at 9 a.m. and grilled hot dogs and french fries will be served from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The playground and basketball courts also will be open all day. At 4 p.m., the church will begin serving spaghetti plates with salad and toast and grilled hamburger and hot dog plates until about 6 p.m.

Then the main attraction begins.

“At 6 p.m., the singing begins,” Moore said. “The Swansons will start things off and we want church choirs, gospel groups and individuals to come and sing for the people.”

The church is providing the sound system and anyone and everyone is welcome to come and sing or play gospel music. An offering will be taken during the music event to support the food bank and anyone who wants to participate needs to contact Moore at (864) 680-3465 as soon as possible to sign up.

All proceeds from the day’s events — including the sale of yard sale items, food and any other donations — will go to supporting the food bank program.

“The money received for food goes to the food account and none of the money goes toward the church,” Moore said.