I Choose Life Ministries is giving away 5,000 pounds of chicken this Tuesday at the Knox Street softball fields to introduce a the group’s new food pantry.

Pastor J.R. Peterson said the giveaway could feed up to 500 families. Roughly 320 families have already called to register for the event.

Peterson said the ministry has been working on the food pantry ministry for about three months and plans to open in July.

“We saw the need in the community for food,” Peterson said. “There’s a huge need for a food pantry in pike County. We want to use food as a tool to show the love of God and bring people to Christ.”

The food pantry will also accept donations of clothing and furniture to further support those in need in the community. “People might ask why they should donate,” Peterson said. “They might think we’re going to turn around and sell the items. But you can’t sell something God gives you. We’re going to find the right people and give it away to them.”

Peterson said the ministry is targeting the area surrounding Knox Street for the ministry because of its specific need. “Knox Street is an area with a lot of drugs, violence and poverty,” he said. “We cannot put these people to the side and forget about them. They’re God’s children and they need Christ as much as the people over in the country club.”

To register to receive food at the June 28 food giveaway, call 334-635-9004 and leave a clear message including your full name and phone number. To donate items to the food pantry, or to volunteer, call 334-268-3555.

I Choose Life Ministries is an outreach ministry that seeks to take the gospel outside the four walls of the church and into the Pike County community.