MADISON – A little help from empathetic volunteers to assist in-need people has proven that many individuals still do care about others.

Huntsville Assistance Program or HAP recently faced a crisis because food pantry shelves were empty of cans, jars and boxes at their Madison Annex. “After an urgent request from Dr. Wendy Kirk with the Huntsville Assistance Program, congregations across Madison started collecting food items to help replenish the pantry,” Charity Stratton said.

Stratton serves as Publicist with the Madison Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with secretary of Madison Interfaith Council.

“With the skyrocketing cost of groceries, the local food pantry found that they were critically low on the most basic items,” Stratton said.

Claire Strand, who serves as Director of Missions and Outreach at Messiah Lutheran Church in Madison, brought the urgency to the attention of the Madison Interfaith Council, in which Strand is a participating member. Madison Interfaith Council unanimously voted to hold a food drive to benefit HAP.

“When six cars and trucks pulled up with food donations, Kathy and Joe Long with the help of Andrew Riley unloaded the vehicles. Kathy and Joe Long have helped with the food pantry for the last three years,” Stratton said.

“After Kathy’s husband retired in Colorado, they moved to Madison to be closer to family and now spend time volunteering their time at the food pantry. Kathy said she has ‘always been interested in feeding people,’” Stratton said.

HAP is a group of Christian congregations who desire to provide a ministry of assistance and referrals to needy individuals and families of Madison County. HAP also makes every effort to cooperate with the different organizations, agencies, ministries and other faith groups with similar desire to support the needy and HAP’s mission.

HAP strives to achieve its mission by pooling volunteers, information and financial resources from its members.

The food drive was held throughout February and March by several Madison churches, including Most Merciful Jesus Catholic Church, All Nations Great House Ministry, Messiah Lutheran Church, Grace Covenant Worship and Outreach Center, Restoration Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Madison or west location of HAP is inside Harvest Pointe Methodist Church at 103 Gin Oak Court in downtown Madison, just south of Main Street. If your church wants to participate in projects like this food drive with Madison Interfaith Council, email charitystratton@bellsouth.net or visit Facebook/Madison Interfaith Council.