| Times Herald-Record
TOWN OF WALLKILL – A small church had a big turnout for a free family food box distribution on Friday.
So big, the Town of Wallkill Police Department had to help quell traffic as dozens upon dozens of cars lined Dunning Road looking to get a 40 pound box of free food with enough to feed a family of four for almost a week.
In all, the Centro Cristiano Nueva Vida church at 40 Dunning Road gave away 1,092 boxes filled each with a gallon of milk, up to 12 pounds of fruits and vegetables, two dairy products (cheese, butter or yogurt), and up to 6 pounds of two different kinds of protein.
“It was sad seeing the need, but at the same time, it was a joy that at least for a couple of hours, we were able to provide something that people need,” Pastor Gilberto Velez said.
Through a USDA program, Farmers to Families Food Box Program, the church was able to distribute the truckload of food to those in need in the area without any restrictions or pre-registration, Velez said. The New York School of Urban Ministry partnered with CityServe, a California-based ministry, to set up the opportunity for food to be distributed through the church.
Velez said the church plans to meet with the local police department again this week to determine if another distribution can take place this Friday, Oct. 16, at the same scale as last week’s. If not, the distributions will be made to those with an appointment.
The church plans to update its social media pages to keep the community informed on Friday’s upcoming distribution. To ensure a box reservation, email the church at [email protected] or message them on Facebook at @centrocristianonuevavidaAD.
“If they need anything at all, it doesn’t have to be food, we’re here to serve whatever they need,” Velez said. “The church is here to serve.”
