Full Moon BBQ Generously Feeding the People of West Montgomery

I was worrying about the 605 children in Gibbs Village East and West. On March 23rd, the Montgomery Public Schools started feeding children through the Summer Lunch Program, setting up lunch distribution sites across many schools in our city. MPS is doing a great job, working hard, and trying to make sure the 25,000 children who regularly rely on lunches at school are still nourished and being fed.

However, I was worrying about the 605 children in Gibbs Village East and West. The two closest food distribution locations for our neighborhood are T.S. Morris and E.D. Nixon. Thelma S Morris Elementary school is 1.6 to 2 miles from Gibbs Village, a 32-39 minute walk one-way through neighborhood and commercial streets.  E.D. Nixon Elementary School is 2.2-2.6 miles away, a 44-51 minute walk one-way. This distance is a barrier for these children, and many of their parents are still at work during the day. Walking four miles, unaccompanied and alone isn’t realistic, so I was worried about the 605 children and praying for a way to meet their hunger.

That very same day, March 23rd, I received a call from Mr. Chris Woodard from Full Moon Bar-B-Que. Mr. Chris said he wanted to donate 500 barbecue sandwiches and chips to feed as many people as possible. I called a few churches in the community, and we came together to meet this need head on.

I am grateful for the way God is moving in this community and the people who are coming together, serving and sacrificing to meet the needs of their neighbors. Washington Park is already an under-resourced area, but COVID-19 is hitting us even harder. Our people are suffering, like much of the rest of Montgomery, Alabama, and America. But we’re relying on God, and we’re gratefully accepting the generosity our neighbors show us and those we serve. 

And we’re working with the stakeholders in Montgomery and in Alabama at large to ensure that all children have access to meals in a way that doesn’t waste food or labor.  We commend the YMCA, the Montgomery Public Schools, and the Alabama Department of Education for their tireless work in feeding our children, for adapting to the need, to ensuring we’re serving the best we can. 

Thanks to the organizations previously mentioned, Mr. Chris Woodard, and the people of Montgomery who continue to bless Mercy House financially and non-financially, I’m confident the 605 children of Gibbs Village will see their needs met.

God Bless,
Pastor Ken Austin