Food Drive Allows Living Hope to Serve the Crestwood Community

More than 60 boxes of dry cereal were collected over the course of three Sundays as part of Living Hope Church's food drive for Operation Blessing-South, a food pantry in Crestwood. As referenced in an earlier news article, the relationship between Operation Blessing and the Illinois Department of Human Services was recently terminated due to the practice that volunteers have at Operation Blessing of praying for those they serve.

The boxes of food Living Hope collected were delivered to Operation Blessing in time for distribution this coming Thanksgiving season. The initiative was prompted by Living Hope's first missional community.

"I am proud of the church for stepping up to the plate with Operation Blessing," said Pastor Sam Hamstra. "Our small community is going to make a big difference in the larger community. This is not only about the awareness of hunger, but it is also about being a small example of how to be part of the solution. It is great to partner with such a wonderful organization as Operation Blessing, who is also called to serve the Crestwood region."

Looking ahead to the Christmas season, Living Hope Church has partnered with Prison Fellowship's Angel Tree program to deliver Christmas gifts to children who have a parent in prison.