Church donates 300 turkeys to community

MARTINSBURG - The Church at Martinsburg collected 300 turkeys for local agencies who prepare or donate meals to needy families. Operation Thanks, now in its third year, was held recently at the parking lot of Regal Cinemas on Foxcroft Avenue, where the church meets.

Jacob Atchley, lead pastor of teaching and vision casting, said that he saw the turkey drive as an opportunity to express gratitude to Christ by being generous.

Since 2009, more than 700 turkeys have been donated.

After turkeys are "tagged" by church members to explain who donated the turkey, they are loaded into vehicles and distributed around Martinsburg. This year, three agencies benefitted from the turkeys: CCAP/Loaves and Fishes, Young Lives and the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Boys & Girls Club.

Rick Lowman, food manager at CCAP/Loaves and Fishes, said the donation of the turkeys is appreciated because it's one of the biggest financial costs.

"It saves us money to be able to buy other food to supply the baskets, while continuing to provide food throughout the winter," Lowman said.

Lowman said that the organization is giving out more boxes this year than ever by having turkeys donated and that it's only made possible by the generosity of churches who donate food items.

"Each group that has helped has made it possible to keep up with our regular donations through the year," Lowman said.

Lowman said CCAP feeds an average of 400 people a month.

"For me, this is a remarkable project," said Richard Marsh, executive pastor. "I look at this as an opportunity for our church to mobilize and assist our friends and neighbors. It is our response to the Gospel; a way we can serve others because of what Jesus has done for us."

Marsh said this is a way we can show our love for our family here in Martinsburg.

"Our country is experiencing an unprecedented economic hardship, and there has been an increase of hurting families in our city this year," Marsh said. "It is a privilege for us to be able to share these turkeys with them and let them know we love and support them."

Marsh said the generous donations from four local Martin's Food Markets made this year's event possible. Martin's locations in Martinsburg, Charles Town and two stores in Winchester, Va., made donations to the cause.

The church began in 2009, first meeting in a home in Berkeley County. Since then, it has grown to more than 200 members and now meets weekly at Regal Cinemas at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

For more information about The Church at Martinsburg, visit www.martinsburgchurch.org.

Source: http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/571661.html

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