Tag: Jonathan Hoard

“Blessing Boxes” go out to Local Families Today

by Ian McGaughey

On Friday, December 21st at 10:00am at Seldovia Bible Chapel, volunteers continued what has become a Seldovia Christmas tradition. “Blessings Boxes” full of turkeys and items to make a complete Christmas dinner were packed and then distributed to approximately 50 area families.

“This is an effort to minister to the physical food needs of our neighbors while serving the spiritual need of celebrating Christmas,” Pastor Jonathon Hoard said. “We want to share the blessings the Lord has blessed us with.”

Seldovia Village Tribe partnered with Seldovia Bible Chapel to purchase nearly 50 turkeys and other items from Safeway and Country Foods.

“This tradition has been going on for over 20+ years” Seldovia Village Tribe President and CEO Crystal Collier said. “It’s an important part of Christmas, sharing with those in our community.  We thank all those that volunteer to pack boxes and deliver, those that transported the food to Seldovia and Seldovia Bible Chapel for partnering in the joy of this provision.”

Pilot Don Sellinger donated his services flying the roughly 800 pounds of turkey to Seldovia, while Homer Air donated the transport of countless canned goods. Even with all the food, volunteers find room in the Blessing Boxes for a little something extra.

“If we know that there is a child at the residence, we’ll include a toy,” Pastor Hoard said. “We also like to include a small book or DVD that discusses the true meaning of Christmas.”

The Blessing Boxes are a natural extension of services run by both organizations. The Seldovia Bible Chapel has an informal food program based on donations, while Seldovia Village Tribe offers an extensive Food Distribution Program administered by the US Department of Agriculture.

Seldovia-area residents interested in learning more about the Food Bank can contact Debbie Cameron, SVT CHR at 435-3255.