For many, the Christmas season is one that overwhelms the heart with generosity in a way that is unlike any other time of the year. It has traditionally been treated as a time to give to others or causes in an extraordinary way. For one man, however, this “season” of giving is a perpetual one that doesn’t confine itself to a month on the calendar.

Rodney Freeman, pastor of Mt. Zion Restoration Church in Gastonia, saw a massive need at the onset of COVID-19 ­– a need he was determined to find a solution for and be a solution to. Pastor Freeman knew of the suffering of those who had little – those who didn’t know where their next meal might come from…or if it would come at all. But from this great need birthed a beautiful ministry – the Bountiful Blessings Food Pantry.

Julia Kotecki, Director of Food and Nutrition at Covenant Village, recently shared about this ministry with CV’s Leadership Team. CEO Dale Melton decided it would be a wonderful service opportunity for the Leadership Team and proposed that they, together, pursue a service project like this on a quarterly to semi-annual basis.

On December 7^th, several employees from CV’s Leadership Team showed up in the brisk air to serve their community by means of the Bountiful Blessings Food Pantry. Julia noted a few hundred cars picked up food (some picking up for more than one family), not including approximately 30-50 walk-ups. Recipients are given a variety of foods, including fresh produce, ground beef, deli meats, and more. Pallets of food are donated from generous grocers such as Second Harvest, Publix, Aldi, and Food Lion.

The food pantry operates on a weekly basis – usually on Thursdays unless rain pushes the event to Saturday. Volunteers arrive as early as 6:30 a.m., and the line of recipients flood in shortly thereafter. Many of the recipients, several with small children, line up in their vehicles the night before, camping out until they can get food the next morning. In addition to food, Julia noted that coats and shoes were distributed, as well as necklaces for the children.

Pastor Freeman has a vision that will move beyond what the food pantry alone can provide. Julia shared that he is on the path to building a restoration center with showers, sleeping amenities, and educational tools for those without jobs.

It takes a vision like Pastor Freeman’s to set a beautiful ministry like this in motion, but it takes hands and feet to get it there.  Thank you to all who served and continue to serve our community at the Bountiful Blessings Food Pantry, and thank you, Pastor Freeman, for chasing after a dream that benefits the lives of so many!

Bountiful Blessings receives monetary donations in the following ways:

Text To Give: 44-321

Venmo: @Bountiful-Blessings-1

Mailing Address:

Bountiful Blessings Food Pantry

2311 Crescent Lane

Gastonia, NC 28052

Natasha Fewell

Bountiful Blessings Food Pantry

704-864-8616