b'COMMUNITYFeeding Hundreds in NeedBy Sheila Smith Itslikeanassemblylineaspeopleareintheir sectionplacingitemsintheboxesandpracticing safesocialdistancing.Ahealthcheckisrequired T he Love Kitchen has turned out to be the lifelineashandsarewashedeverytwohoursandgloves in feeding hundreds during this pandemic timechanged frequently.with COVID-19. ThechurchpartnerswithFoodBankofthe People have been coming in droves to get a foodRockies that provides them with the food in turn the box from Redeeming Love Fellowship Churchs foodFoodBankoftheRockiespartnerswithColorado pantry or known as Love Kitchen. farmers.The church located off 1201 West 41st Avenue inEdenArmendarizisthefoodbankdirectorand the heart of Denver has been the arm for the city andmemberofRedeemingLoveFellowship.Shehas county of Denver in providing food for those in need. already for the month of June seen 60,000 pounds SinceCOVID-19spreadacrossthecountryandof food go out to those in need.in Colorado, many people who became unemployedWe serve everyone in the county. We dont require andstrugglingtosurvivethroughthiscrisishaveanyone to be income eligible. And if you are hungry been able to seek some relief in getting food from thecome get a box, she says.church. We have the capacity and mass quantities to keep FirstLadyMarshaNicholsofRedeemingLovefamilies fed. I do believe it will come to a point where Fellowship said there continues to be a great need inwe will be going to our churches for help instead of providing food for people and the church has beenthe grocery stores as they continue to run out of toi-blessed in doing that. let paper and thingsBut I dont know where God Beforethepandemic,theFirstLadyNicholsis taking us.explained how the food pantry was set up like a gro- Rev. Clyde R. Nichols of Redeeming Love Fellowship cery store with different sections for produce, bakeryorganized having a food bank back in October 1987. goods, canned goods and meat -people would justThen in 1989 it was changed to Love Kitchen in pro-go down the line and pick what they wanted viding food for the hungry.But now, People pull up in the parking lot andI dont like to take credit. All the credit goes to God never have to get out of their cars. They get are givenwhen I started this church years ago, states Rev. one box of food (one box per family), she says. Nichols who fulfilled a need in the community and These are prepared boxes filled with staples, pro- believed in giving back 33 years ago. What I do for duce, canned goods and meats that a family wouldChrist is essential.need. LikethescripturereadsinLuke9:13-17:His The need has increased in April and May as thedisciples answered him saying, We have only five churchs food bank now averages giving out at leastloaves of bread and two fish unless we go buy food 350 boxes of food every two weeks. That is betweenforallthiscrowd(aboutfivethousandmenwere 1,600 and 1,750 people getting food.there). Between 150 and 200 boxes are made for seniorButJesussaidtohisdisciples,Havethemsit citizens and delivered to them by Denver firefighterdowningroupsaboutfiftyeach.Takingthefive cadets and police officer cadets on the 1st and 3rdloaves and the two fish and looking up to the heaven, Fridays of the month. he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all The city agency Benefits in Action also partnersate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up with the church to make sure seniors unable to gettwelve basketfuls of broken pieces left over.out get their food boxes. Redeeming Love Church is located at 1201 West Wereintheinnercityservingthecommunity41st Ave in Denver. and its needed right now, First Lady Nichols saidThe food bank is open from 11 to 2 p.m. every and commends all the volunteers who rise early onother Saturday. Over the next two months, it will Friday mornings to come to the church and preparebe opened on July 4 and July 18 and August 1 all the food boxes. These volunteers are all differentand August 15. As well as every other Saturday ages and ethnicities and come from the Denver area,in September.Aurora, Greeley, Highlands Ranch, Commerce City, Broomfield, Westminster, Wheatridge, Lone Tree, asSeniors able to get out can come get boxes of well as Omaha Nebraska. food between 9 and 10 a.m.1.Myron Butler - My Tribute 6.Fresh Anointing - Totally2.Luther Barnes - Look To7.Zak Williams - The Next The Hills Chapter3.Earnest Pugh - The8.Deitrick Haddon - T.i.m.e.Outpour Experience 9.Kanye West - Jesus Is 4.L. Spenser Smith -KingHooked 10 Bri Babineaux - The 5.Kierra- Kierra Sheard Encounter2 JULY 2020 BOCNEWS.com'