MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Not even a downpour could stop the City of Memphis from coming together to tackle one of it's most prevalent issues.
Nov. 9th, cars lined on Broad Avenue to head into First Baptist Church, where volunteers were eager to help battle food insecurity. For one in four Memphis families, food insecurity is a daily battle, which is what made MLGW's Mobile Food Pantry such a glorious sight.
An estimated 1,000 families were gifted nutritious food and light kits. Food was donated thanks to a partnership with the Mid-South Food Bank, La Prensa Latina, Radio Ambiente 1030 AM and La Jefa 99.3 FM
For people like Barry Doneel Davis, it was a full circle moment.
“It’s always a blessing from God to receive something," said Davis, “Volunteer and help people out myself, this time I’m getting help.”
Many Memphis families have been forced to navigate the food desert in the Binghampton area. The last grocery store, the Save-A-Lot, closed down in 2020. This is what fueled those at First Baptist Church - Broad to step up to help their neighbors.
“We just wanted to be participants and hosts with such a great outreach effort,” said Craig Freeman, First Baptist Broad Exec. Pastor, “It’s about outreach and reaching out to others who are in need, and serving the less fortunate.”
“Helping the community is a very vital thing that this church thrives off of,” said Keenan Norman, First Baptist Community Outreach Liaison.
However for Davis, this Mobile Food Pantry signals something bigger, a charitable community, that takes the time to help.
“It’s the people in Memphis,” said Davis, “No matter what race, color, background or ethnic background or whatever, it’s about helping each other.”