It’s good to have friends in Washington, D.C., the Christian Outreach Alliance Food Pantry has learned. The Selma-based food pantry has a friendship with a congregation of loving hearts in the D.C. area that has provided generous gifts of food for Selma’s needy.

Last Tuesday, with the help of Concordia College students, over a ton of canned goods were delivered to the food pantry to feed Selma’s hungry, thanks to the Helping Hands Ministry of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Herndon, Va., a D.C. suburb.

“This God-sent, generous gift is greatly appreciated and will surely assist us with our mission of feeding those in need,” said Nancy Bennett, COA board member. “We never cease to be amazed at the caring and sharing spirit and actions of people motivated by faith.”

Edson Dorvil, who helped unload and serves as vice president of the Spiritual Life Team, said “It was such an honor to take part in such a profound event. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the amount of food being donated. I thank them for letting me be part of the service to the community.”

This is the second largest gift given by the church in less than one year. Last fall, the church gave generously to fill food bags — and this spring they doubled the amount.

“We are overwhelmed by the love and care we get from Good Shepherd,” said B. M. Miller Childers, COA Chairman of the Board. “They put their Christian faith into action, and we are so blessed. We are also grateful for the Concordia students who helped shop for and deliver the food.”

The Christian Outreach Alliance is an all-volunteer ministry supported by both churches and individuals to feed the hungry. Over 200 bags of nutritious food are given to qualifying seniors, children and families each week.

“Our church just loves this project,” said Vicki Peter, from Good Shepherd. “The Concordia students asked us to spearhead this, and we didn’t want to let them down.

“We are blessed to have the opportunity to do this,” Peter said.