The largest number of people ever — 250 —

received food from the Christian Outreach Alliance’s food pantry Thursday, Dec. 18, one week before Christmas, according to Miller Childers, president of the alliance.

The pantry, manned by volunteers, is open Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 12 noon, but was closed Christmas Day and will be closed New Year’s Day. It will reopen Thursday, Jan. 8.

Childers said he is very pleased with the response from the community to appeals for additional food donations during the holiday season which made this large distribution possible.

Childers said that the extra effort this year came primarily through additional

financial contributions — individuals and even Sunday school classes — which enabled the volunteers manning the center to buy desperately needed items from local food outlets at reduced prices. He specifically mentioned Calhoun Foods and the Dollar General store on Dallas Avenue, which offered good buys for the alliance.

An additional $2,000 — over and above ongoing support from the downtown churches that founded the alliance — was received this year, he said.

Echoing previous appeals — and those of the Selma Area Food Bank — Childers said that the alliance always needs more canned vegetables, fruits, fish and meat. Also, he said, additional volunteers are needed.

How to support the Christian Outreach Alliance? Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to P.O. Box 688, Selma, AL 36702. Food donations may be brought to 24 Church St. Wednesdays, between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m., and Thursdays, between 9:30 a.m. and 12 noon. Also, food donations can be made to the downtown churches, including Church Street United Methodist, First Baptist, First Christian, First Presbyterian and St. Paul’s Episcopal.