This exemplifies the true spirit of community care.
Volunteers from ChristWay Church in Ooltewah, Tennessee, recently joined forces to pack an impressive total of 101,088 meals during a special event designed to aid families in need globally. Held on a Saturday, around 500 volunteers collaborated to fill 468 boxes with nutritious meals. Laura Wootan, the communications coordinator at ChristWay Church, highlighted that these packed meals will provide sustenance for 275 children from impoverished nations, ensuring they have daily meals for an entire year. The initiative was driven by the church’s commitment to love others and make Christ’s presence known globally, guided by their motto “Love is Why” and the biblical passage Luke 6:20-21.
Despite ChristWay Church’s previous participation in meal-packing events hosted by Feed My Starving Children, this particular event held special significance. It marked the first time in many years that the church hosted its own meal-packing initiative, made possible by the generous financial support received through donations. Despite facing challenging weather conditions, the community’s response exceeded expectations, resulting in an exceptional turnout.
The 101,088 meals packed during the event are set to be distributed globally by Feed My Starving Children, reaching 40 nations in Africa, 16 in Asia, 14 in the Caribbean, 12 in Europe, 11 in the Middle East, and 18 in the Americas. Beyond providing essential nutrition, the church’s overarching goal is for the children receiving these packages to experience the transformative love of Jesus and establish a personal connection with Him. Additionally, the church hopes that families actively participating in the packing process will find profound joy in selflessly serving others.
ChristWay Church, with roots tracing back to 1887 as Central Baptist Church, has a rich history. Originally based in North Brainerd, the church relocated to Ooltewah in 2001. The recent event reflects not only a commitment to global outreach but also the resilience and generosity of the ChristWay Church community.