LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) — On Saturday, Aug. 19, the Alpha Grove Baptist Church worked to make some wiggle room in the pocket of their community.
They gave out $2,000 worth of free gas at their local Kroger Gas Station on the 2000 block of Wards Road. The first 100 drivers were given $20 Kroger gift cards to help fill the tank. Church organizers say it was their way of showing love to their community.
“We’re not here to solicit but we’re just here to give out hope and let you know that there is someone here who cares,” said Pastor M.L. Cherry. Volunteers with the church helped man the pumps and hand out gas.
The church pulled from its Tim Johnson Fund. Deacon Marshall with Alpha Grove Baptist said money from the fund is not meant to sit and was collected so they could be able to freely give money to people in the community who are in need.
“Whether it’s working with young people, whether it’s providing health and wellness for folks — so a wide variety of things we can use for this fund,” said Deacon Nat Marshall.
The fund was named after Marshall’s nephew who died in a car accident a few years ago. The fund is a way to keep his memory alive, and they use it to promote different organizations that help the surrounding community.
The church does backpack drives in the summer for kids as they return to school. However, Pastor Cherry said this event was to help teachers and parents who may need some extra room in their budget for gas.
