(4/21) A relatively new church in Taneytown is offering food assistance to those in need during the COVID-19 crises and associated surge in numbers among the unemployed.
St. James Orthodox Christian Church, on 30 York St., is offering bags of food and a free meal at the church every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until noon.
Fr. Timothy Barkley said that the free food distribution is available to individuals and families in need who reside in Taneytown or western Westminster.
The goods are temporarily being supplied by Caring and Sharing Ministries of Taneytown, the church's normal source of food has been shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The church itself also purchases the prepared meals for distribution.
Fr. Barkley said the food distribution is being operated as a drive-through. Patrons are asked to remain in their cars, and church staff will bring the food, and other goods which may be available, out to the vehicles.
Each household represented per vehicle receives one bag off food, and a free, prepared meal for each adult, he said, noting that the schools are proving meals for children. Contents of the food bags vary, depending on "whatever people are donating."
Anyone interested in donating food or goods may leave the items in, or at, a drop box located at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 38 West Baltimore Street,. Food and good thus collected are then transported to Caring and Sharing Ministries, where they are redistributed to participating churches.
Barkley said the church also offers other services to those in need, including aiding them in finding help for other issues relative to their individual situations in times of duress.
The St. James Orthodox Christian Church relocated to Taneytown from Westminster in 2019 after purchasing the 30 York Street church. The first in-church service in their new church was held in last September. Prior to hosing St. James, the church used to home to Taneytown United Presbyterian Church.
