NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A North Nashville church was overwhelmed with donations Thursday and Friday after the lead pastor put out a call for help.
Mt. Carmel Baptist Church asked for food and monetary donations after the church started taking care of school-aged kids whose parents had to work.
Bishop Marcus Campbell said he realized a need when several of the church members came to him in desperation. They weren't sure how they were going to work and have their kids attend virtual classes. That's when Campbell opened his church to some of those families.
After a couple of weeks, the church was running low on food supplies. Church volunteers were cooking the kids breakfast and lunch but were almost out Wednesday when Campbell reached out for help.
"People have responded in such a great way. We've been getting donations dropped off all day. People calling all night saying they're going to meet us the next day to drop off more food and cleaning products to help us be able to serve these kids. So, they can be fed and we keep a clean place," said Campbell.
The aisles of the church seating and several side rooms were full Saturday morning, not even 48 hours after that plea. Campbell said he was brought to tears by the generosity of strangers.
"They want to meet the need and they have love in their heart for humanity. That just, it brought me to tears because I didn't know everyone was going to respond like this. You've got people from Clarksville, Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Murfreesboro, they're coming in. It's good to see that all of our different counties and our city can just come together for these kids," said Campbell.
The church also received monetary donations that have helped them buy a new fridge and freezer to preserve the food.
Campbell said the food should last into 2021.
