The organized relief effort in Republic got a big pre-Easter boost with a giveaway of food and other supplies by five local churches. The Hope for Easter event began as a partnership between Live Church and Destiny Church, and came to involve three others: Life360 Republic, CrossPoint Fellowship, and Meadowview Baptist Church.
” Chad and I got together and wanted to show the community that we support them in unity. The need is so much greater than any one church can meet, but together we can and will accomplish so much more,” said Josh Troester, pastor at Live Church. “We want Republic to know we stand together to serve them and show the love of Jesus.”
More than 400 cars went through the drive-through giveaway line, with some of those vehicles containing more than one family. Josh Troester, pastor at Live Church, estimates about 500 families received supplies in about three hours. In all, thirty pallets packed with supplies from Convoy of Hope were given away.
“The turnout blew away our expectations. We thought maybe 150 or so families would come through, but we had a line all the way through the middle school parking lot for nearly the entire 3 hour timeframe,” Troester said.
Troester said his church and others are seeing several immediate needs from families in Republic, including food, cleaning supplies, and infant supplies. Getting those items where they need to be is also a challenge.
“A huge need is for people that cannot transport themselves to these drives as well, so we are delivering to those that submit on the 417outreach.com website,” Troester said.