TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Donations Help One Church Help Another

ADVERTISEMENT

By Tom Arthur / The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 20, 2007

Video: Church Arson
| Photo Gallery: St. Giles Food Pantry

RUSKIN - A Ruskin church that had a trailer full of food stolen last week is reaching out to a Pinellas Park church damaged by an arsonist Sunday.

So many people responded with donations and offers of help over the last week after news of the trailer theft at the Calvary Lutheran Church that it now has enough food and money to share with the St. Giles Episcopal Church food pantry.

They're sending 20 turkeys, 20 food bags and $1,000 to help St. Giles.

"If it wouldn't have been for churches and schools and everyone in the community we wouldn't have what we have today," said Susan Klose, a Calvary Lutheran volunteer.

Pinellas Park police say someone deliberately set fire at the St. Giles food pantry on N. 52nd St. The fire didn't damage much of the building, but it ruined a bounty of Thanksgiving donations for the needy.

The church operates one of the largest food banks in mid-Pinellas, feeding 20,000 people a year.

"This is one of the busiest weeks," said Father John Hartnett of St. Giles.

After news of the fire spread, donations began arriving from members of the community as well as from other churches like Calvary Lutheran.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT