Thea Digiammerino

Hartford Church Delivers ‘Groceries on God' to Unsuspecting Families

The holiday season just got a little more cheerful for residents in the capital city thanks to some surprise donations from a Hartford church.

Members of Mount Olive Church Ministries delivered some goodwill to the city’s North End Thursday evening, to people who had no idea they were coming.

“We’re going to knock on their doors and just say happy holidays,” explained Pastor Dion Watkins.

They call it Groceries on God. Members of the church on Battles Street take to the streets and deliver food with all the makings of a warm meal to unsuspecting residents, all for free.

“No strings attached. They don’t have to be members of our congregation. They don’t have to be our denomination or anything. It doesn’t matter,” Watkins said.

For North End residents receiving the surprise love donations, it was a welcome gift.

This is the fourth holiday season the church has taken on the project, asking members to bring donations to Sunday services ahead of delivery day.

“Being that we know the neighborhood and we know the needs of the neighborhood, we should be able to be able to be a resource for them and they should be able to come to us for their needs,” said church member Shanda Montford.

The church’s mission is to minister to their members and the community outside their walls, sharing the spirit of giving with their neighbors.

“Be grateful for what we have in our lives… but we have to remember those who are less fortunate than us. Just keep giving,” Watkins said.

Church officials estimate they made about 200 surprise deliveries, and the pastor said he hopes other faith communities will take on similar projects and spread this kind of needed love.

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