S. Richmond church, police give out food

Thanksgiving came a week early in South Richmond.

Several hundred people gathered at Bringing God's Word to Life Ministries Church on Bryce Lane last night to give thanks and take home bags of food and a turkey courtesy of officers of the Richmond Police Department's 2nd Precinct.

Bishop Ellis Bias and his wife, Lois, the church's associate pastor, have been offering a pre-Thanksgiving grocery distribution for 11 years.

"Our main intention was to be an extension of someone's food cabinet," Ellis Bias said.

Last year, the ministry provided food for about 130 people, but this year, there has been a dramatic increase for requests for food, police officials said. Bias said more than 240 people signed up to receive food.

Officers donated $300 in food and cash and helped parishioners assist guests with armfuls of vegetables, steaks, hot dogs, bread and buns, and, of course, turkey. Every few minutes, the parishioners and guests sang hymns such as "Praise Me."

Capt. Steve Drew said he was proud of his officers and the department for seeing a need and taking the initiative.

"This is community policing," Drew said. "Helping each other and others in need is a foundation for any strong community. That's how I want 2nd Precinct officers to embrace their community."

The church offers groceries each week with the help of the Central Virginia Foodbank. It also has an accredited school for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 with 47 students.

Jeremiah Green, 18, of Richmond and his grandmother, Lillie Green, attended a musical performance titled "For the Love of Money" at the church before the food was distributed.

"I think it's a blessing to see how they give this away," Jeremiah Green said.
Contact Linda Dunham at (804) 775-8126 or .