One of the greatest gifts is to give to others.
A united community of churches with the sole purpose to provide acts of service, compassion and love known as Hope Roswell excels in its generosity.
What would have been their 12th year of Day of Hope was quashed by COVID-19.
That event was usually a day filled with entertainment, lunch and the offering of free groceries, shoes, haircuts, medical and dental exams.
Averaging from 1,500 to 2,500 guests per year, they knew the need was great, according to Director of Hope Roswell Brenda Orlans.
“Poverty doesn’t go away and neither does hope,” she said.
Call it a God-thing or call it what you will about an out of the blue phone call from Convey of Hope to pastor Tim Newby at Roswell Assembly of God, the director said.
“The contact from COH asked if our community was in need,” Orlans said. “Pastor Tim called me and said it would be a great event for Hope Roswell to host. Our team took it and ran with it.”
Boxes of food (1,300) came through the USDA Farmers to Families Program. Each box weighed about 20 pounds containing fresh fruit, vegetables, precooked meat and dairy products, according to Orlans.
The free food event was held recently at Vickery Mill Elementary School. The director said, “Over 90 volunteers from local churches unloaded the boxes, greeted folks on their arrival, loaded the food into the cars as they drove through, handled traffic control, prayed for those in need, and held signs of free food, love and hope.”
She added that two buses containing 175 boxes were driven to those shut in, seniors and others unable to get out, and hand delivered.
Orlans’ worry about leftovers and needed refrigeration was short-lived.
“It was sad,” she said. “We ended up having to turn families away because we ran out of food 35 minutes before the event was to end.”
In Hope Roswell’s commitment to others, is their continued service to pastors.
“We offer monthly gatherings for pastors, bringing in speakers that engage them in topics that are specific to pastors – all these things that pastors deal with,” Orlans said. “A safe place they can come together and talk amongst one another without anyone else in the room.”
For more information, visit hoperoswell.org or email hoperoswell@gmail.com.
Each Sunday we write about a deserving person or charity events such as fun-runs, volunteer projects and other community gatherings that benefit a good cause. To submit a story for us to cover, email us at ajc.doinggood@gmail.com.
