The South Gate church of Christ congregation has been involved in disaster relief on a small scale since Katrina in 2005. This ministry began in earnest in August of 2021. We took a portable tent, grill, and several volunteers to the Waverly flood. We served over 2000 meals.

Our next trip was to Benton, KY, in December of 2021. We took tractors, skid steers, and volunteers for clean-up efforts. In the spring of 2022, we purchased our mobile kitchen. In August of 2022, we took it to Prestonsburg, KY, for a flood disaster. We prepared 936 meals in 3 days.

Our next trip was to Selma, AL, for a tornado in January of 2023. We prepared 2100 meals.

In April of 2023, we went to Readyville, TN, for a tornado and prepped 750 in 2 days. In December of 2023, we went to Clarksville, TN, for another tornado and prepped 400 meals.

In May of 2024, we took our trailers to New Lasea Church of Christ and prepared 1036 meals.

On Wednesday, the 8th of May, the tornado struck Columbia around 6 p.m. Approximately 8 p.m., Emergency Management called to ask if we could feed around 200 first responders. We were there by 10 a.m. on Thursday and fed 150 hamburgers for lunch along with chips, snacks, and water. Over the next three days, as the first responders’ efforts were wrapping up, we transitioned to feeding area victims of the storm.

When we began this work, we quickly realized that there was a definite need to feed disaster victims in a timely manner. Our goal is not only to feed people in times of need but also to share the love of God with them. When we can, we will set up in a church parking lot and use the staging area as a place where people can come to get food, prayers, and encouragement.

Our goal through this ministry is to build relationships and spread the gospel during times of crisis. We have been excited to assist other congregations in changing their culture to a more evangelistic work.

This ministry runs solely on private donations, and our goal is to keep it budget-neutral from our general operating fund. We very much appreciate all of those who have given to and supported this ministry.

During the Columbia Tornado mission effort, we had over 26 different people volunteer to cook and distribute meals, along with up to 40 to 50 more volunteers doing clean-up efforts around the area.

When there are no disasters, we use the mobile kitchen to prepare meals for the People’s Table, Back to School efforts, and meals for VBS.

If we use our opportunities well, God’s love can be shown and the Gospel shared through any crisis.