Pat Jobe
Wednesday, November 4, 2020 1:13 pm

Rev. Travis McEntyre (left) hands off one of hundreds of boxes of food as volunteers prepared to meet hundreds of needy folks accepting surplus food and taking advantage of free medical testing.

Rev. Travis McEntyre went over the moon in joyful praise.

"I've waited a long time to see churches come together like this," he said of the dozens of volunteers who directed traffic, prepped tables and unloaded boxes at the church he serves, Harvest House Baptist in Henrietta.

Saturday saw the combined resources and volunteerism of United Way, Chase Corner Ministries, New Zion, Harvest House, New Bethel AME, Zion Hill Faith Temple, First Baptist in Rutherfordton, and the Rutherfordton Lions Club coming together to serve families who lined up both north and south of the Harvest house campus to pick up surplus food, get free Covid-19 tests and blood pressure tests.

Cynthia Cooper with Chase Corner said, "It is fabulous to be able to meet needs at such a hurting time."

The Saturday, October 31 event had been scheduled for Thursday, the 29th, but Hurricane Zeta's visit to the county downed trees, knocked out power and delayed the distribution and free medical testing.

But Saturday morning saw boxes stacked more than head high and a company of volunteers ready to serve an army of folks who clearly needed help as they faced a long wait in line.

Persons wishing help from Chase Corner Ministry can learn more from the organization's Facebook page.

There was an air of celebration as volunteers lifted, hauled and packed boxes for those in need.