BAKERSFIELD, Calif — The pandemic hasn't been easy for many families, but the Blessing Corner Ministries has made it their mission to help support those in need and who may need extra help putting food on the table.
The Blessing Corner Ministries has been holding food distributions for many years, but Sunday, January 17th, is their first one of 2021, from 2:30 to 4:30 located at 101 Union Ave. According to Bonnie Turner, executive director of The Blessing Corner, there is a lot that goes into these types of events.
"There are so many families who are going through mental anguish,” Turner said.
According to Turner, they have seen an increase in people needing their services since the start of the pandemic.
"There are so many families that have lost their job, their way of life, their way of living,” Turner said.
The Blessing Corner provides families with food and household items every two to three weeks to help them get through these tough times, but, a lot of preparation goes into packing food for the community.
“It takes a lot of planning, sorting, assembling all of the different bags that we present to the community,” Turner said.
Each family will take home canned goods, bread, chips, an assortment of drinks, along with some cleaning products.
According to Turner, they will provide food and supplies for 300 to 500 families each time they do a food distribution, but the ministry doesn't do it all alone.
“We have quite a few donors that help us to be able to keep the lights on and help us to be able to buy the bags that are needed to pack all of these same items for this many people," Turner said.
The ministry also receives donations from the community, whether that be food items or clothing that they no longer need.
“The community has come together to help those that are in need,” Turner said.
While preparing for a food distribution is a lot of work, Turner said that it is all worth it to be able to help those that are struggling.
“It is a totally different world, so we are so grateful here at the Blessing Corner to be able to provide some type of hope for these families,” Turner said.
