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Local Church Gives Away Free Gas Cards

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By CARLOS MONCADA | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 21, 2008

Updated: 06/21/2008 04:26 pm

Tough economic times and soaring prices at the pump made today's free gas giveaway too good to pass up for hundreds of area motorists.

People began lining up at the BP gas station at 7906 W. Hillsborough Avenue at 2 a.m., even though the giveaway of $20,000 worth of gas to the first 400 drivers wasn't supposed to start until 2 p.m.

"They were lined up probably for four or five blocks," said Diana Gaddey of Without Walls International Church, which was sponsoring the giveaway.

There were so many cars that police asked the church to help clear the traffic jams, Gaddey said, so the first 200 people in line were handed vouchers and told to return at 2 p.m. so they could be redeemed for a $50 gas card.

Valentia Ortiz came back at 11 a.m., though, and ended up being first in line.

"It was worth the wait," she said while pumping gas into her van. "I got to meet a lot of interesting people."

With the cards being given away on a first come, first-served basis, things got a bit testy at times.

"A lot of people were out here fussing about how they'd been in line first and they were here this time and that time," said Monique Kimbrough, who was among the lucky recipients. "It's been crazy all day. But I got my card, I'm happy."

The gas giveaway was part of the Tampa church's Operation Tampa Bay Give-a-Way that began at 10 a.m. The event ends Sunday with a 10 a.m. worship in the sanctuary of the church, at 2511 N. Grady Ave.

Besides gas, the church gave away food and personal care products and supplies, including hair cuts and medical exams, to the needy.

"It's what we do best as a ministry, and that is to help those who are less fortunate and going through hard times," Gaddey said.

News Channel 8 photojournalist Indira LeVine contributed to this report. Reporter Carlos Moncada can be reached at (727) 451-2333 or cmoncada@tampatrib.com.

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