TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — As Second Harvest of the Big Bend approaches two months of helping people fight hunger, there have been many helping hands along the way with First Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee leading the charge.
"We wanted to look at what we could do locally as an expression of our concern," said Brant Copeland, the pastor at First Presbyterian Church. "Not just for our neighbors here, but our neighbors around the world."
For seven weeks, members of Tallahassee's First Presbyterian Church have been the ones behind the masks, helping those who need a helping hand.
"The very first mass distribution we did, I think when we showed up at a quarter to 10," said Christy Williams, a Presbyterian Church member. "There were 300 cars already waiting."
For some, it's been emotional.
"The car drove up with a very old and very dear friend of mine," said Patrick Kennedy, a member of the Presbyterian Church. "It really drove home for me 'There but for the grace of God go I.' We're all one day away from needing help."
"It's really difficult when a car of children drives up," Williams said. "That always pulls on your heartstrings because you know how difficult it is to tell your child no."
Others have been impacted by the virus themselves.
"My grandmother, she broke her hip a couple weeks ago and went to a rehab facility and got coronavirus," said church member Jonathan Witmer. "Also, my mom is a midwife and she works at TMH. Because of the possibility of me getting infected because of her, I'm not allowed to stay at home."
But all agree, there's no where else they'd rather be.
"It's really been a gift to be able to participate in giving food to those who need it right now," said Janet Bowman, a member of the Presbyterian Church.
"We're wearing our masks so they can't see my face real well," Witmer said. "I think some people do recognize it and they're happy about it, and they see a younger person is out there trying to help. I think for some people it does mean something."
Something that means everything right now.
Second Harvest said they're thankful for First Presbyterian Church for helping every week. Wednesday's are mega distribution events, where they estimate they serve been 1,100 to 1,300 families.
