By Milton Kirby
Saint Philip A.M.E. Church along with several other churches partnered with DeKalb County Government to distribute 5,000 boxes of food in celebration of Black History Month. The food was distributed on a first come first serve basis to families that came from walking distance neighborhoods and cross county communities.
The families received a 10-pound bag of chicken hindquarters, a 20-pound box of food that contained fruits and vegetables, a dozen eggs, cereal, fruit juice boxes and cookies.
Saint Philip, organized their food give-away as a drive-through distribution. The food give-away started at 9:00am while the temperature was 32 degrees with a wind chill factor that was even lower. At the start time, the entire rear parking lot was full of families patiently waiting in the comfort of their vehicles for some welcome relief to their food cost budgets. According to DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond grocery costs are up nearly 15 percent.
Saint Philip A.M.E. began in Reynoldstown (community area in Atlanta, Georgia) in 1921. The church was totally destroyed by fire on the 4th Sunday in December 1950. The church was rebuilt by volunteers and donations.
Saint Philip had been lead by six pastors before Rev. George Moore, Sr took the helm in 1970. Under Pastor Moore’s leadership a number of programs were created and executed including feeding the hungry and providing shelter for the homeless. That mission continues under the current leadership of Senior Pastor William D. Watley, Ph.D. Additionally, under Dr. Watley’s leadership Saint Philip has improved the church’s social media and online presence including live streaming on the internet and via Facebook with as many as 5,000 viewers on any given Sunday.
The efforts of the many faithful members/volunteers who braved 32-degree weather to insure the success of the Black History Month food giveaway, were being coordinated by Anna Sutton and Assistant Pastor Diondre Daniels.
Saint Philip welcomes all to Sunday worship service at 8:00 am and 11:00 am, church school, Sundays at 10:00 am, Youth Church Sundays at 11:15 am and Family Bible Study Tuesday at 8:00 pm at 240 Candler Road SE, in Atlanta, Georgia 30317.
Last updated on February 10, 2023
