RICHMOND, Va. -- Hundreds of families came out to Sixth Mount Zion Church in Richmond Sunday for the annual Be the Church Outreach event.
It's the sixth year the church has organized the event, but it's the first time for the "Mount Market," a display of thousands of free items for community members.
The Birchett family was one of the families there. Lamar Birchett waited in line for hours to get necessary items for his three kids.
"Clothes. Shoes, Pampers. Stuff to help me out,” Birchet said.
"I need a comforter. I need a pair of tennis shoes,” said another community member.
"Well they have clothes for the children, and you can always use clothes. They got food. They got pots and pans…stuff that's useful. If you don't really have a lot of money, use your resources,” said Keyirra Fuell, a mother of five.
The event was part of the church's annual outreach. Instead of Sunday service, church members give back to the community.
About 150 church members went out into the community. They went to grocery stores and restaurants giving out gift cards and gas cards. They say the point is to have other people pay it forward.
“We added this concept this year of the Mount Market where we asked our members to contribute money. We went out and purchased new goods, asked for some gently used goods,” Sixth Mount Zion Pastor Tyrone Nelson said.
From house appliances and groceries to clothes and toiletries, community members made rounds, filling bags to take home.
"I wish we could do more. Actually it saddens me that there are so many people here. I hope we can try to serve as many people as we can today,” Birchett said.
People from all over the area came out. Many said events like this help them get by in times of need.
"Yes it helps me because you know, right now I'm low on money,” one person said.
