Local church provides food for residents in need

SOUTH ZANESVILLE, Ohio– A local church is opening its doors to help feed the community.

New Covenant Church on Shawnee Avenue has a ministry called “Two Fish and Five Loaves”. Through the ministry, the church provides free food for families across Muskingum County and surrounding areas.

“When we have these giveaways the entire back half of our church is filled with everything from produce; there are times we are able to giveaway: toiletries, laundry soap, dish soap, things of that nature,” said Samantha Puterbaugh, the food pantry organizer. “We do on occasion have meat that we’re able to giveaway. We do not have any stipulation here. What we do is when you come in we ask you to please sign in so we can keep track of how many people that we’re able to help.”

Starting next year, the church will also have a produce giveaway which will also be free to families. Pastor Eric Gibsons said the produce giveaway will be the second Friday of each month and the church needs some help running it.

“We’re going to need volunteers the second Friday of February of 2018 up at the Village Park here in South Zanesville, Ohio. It’s going to take at least 15 volunteers,” said Gibson. “Again it’s stated that we have about 30 people here in our services, but we know that there’s more godly people out there who wants to help. And the bible tells us that Jesus had felt compassion so we’re asking people come out and feel compassion to serve.”

New Covenant says they serve anyone regardless of income level and need donations to stay running.

“At New Covenant we rely solely on donation. We’re a very small ministry, but we do rely on donation. So we actually use social media. We use Facebook to let people know. So people can follow the Facebook page for New Covenant of Zanesville,” said Puterbaugh. “When we have our giveaways it’s usually posted at least 2-4 hours before a giveaway. Everyone in Muskingum County is welcome.”

Puterbaugh said families should bring bags and boxes when they come to put the food in. For more information, visit the church’s Facebook page.