Tamara Dickey, board member of the Jamestown Jackals and member of Healing Word Ministries, said the decision for the Jackals to assist in this month’s food distribution derived from a recommendation from her husband.

“We were at dinner with the Jackals, and my husband — being a member of Healing Word — suggested they come and help at the food pantry and help deliver boxes,” Dickey said. “Ironically, when the pastor gave us the next date that was open, May 15, the Jackals happened to be in the area.”

Leecrofte Clarke, pastor of Healing Word Ministries, welcomed the help of various Jackals leaders and players, former County Legislator Dave Wilfong, Jamestown police, Dickey and other church members to load more than 250 boxes into vehicles at the 1006 W. Third St. location of Healing Word Ministries.

With an organization like the Jamestown Jackals basketball team, a nonprofit organization, helping with the distribution of food, it relays the message that they are here to support the community.

Pictured, from left, are Kayla Crosby, Jamestown Jackals head coach Brandon Lesovsky, and Jamestown Jackals players. The team helped Healing Word Ministries hand out food boxes Saturday, May 15. Submitted photo

“It gives a visual to the community and allows the community to see that (the Jackals) are engaged and concerned about Jamestown,” Dickey said. “Several cars pulled up, had their jerseys on and voiced their support for the Jamestown Jackals.”

“We know the community supports the Jackals, and we wanted them to know the Jackals support them and wanted to bless them as well,” Dickey added.

Dickey said she was moved by one experience during the food distribution involving a disabled elderly man.

“He was trying to make sure he was in the right place to get food,” Dickey said. “We told him to drive back around and stay where he was so that one of the Jackals players could grab his box and put it in his truck.”

Along with helping the physical needs of community members, distributing food also gives Healing Word Ministries the ability to spiritually support community members, Dickey said.

“There’s an economic need for (food pantries) in Jamestown,” Dickey said. “There’s a strong level of poverty here. We have a large amount of people who really need the support.”

Dickey said the food-truck style of distributing food has allowed those who wouldn’t have come to the regular food pantry to receive what they need.

“This allows us to do God’s will,” Dickey said. “If you think about it, some people aren’t going to come to the food pantry, but they’ll drive their car up and let you put a box of food in there.”

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From Page D1

Although she is unsure whether the food truck-style of distribution will continue into the summer months, the Bread of Life pantry at Healing Word Ministries will still be in operation.

“We are going to resume the Bread of Life food pantry, pending discussion regarding summer food delivery and distribution,” Dickey said.

To learn about how to volunteer with Healing Word Ministries, visit their Facebook page or healingwordministriescog.com.