The inaugural Stock the Shelves canned food drive was a success for the Christian Outreach Alliance.

People visited the pantry all day long, dropping off canned goods and monetary donations to support the group in its effort to supply food for low-income residents. Every donation, no matter how small, made a big difference to the nonprofit organization.

“Whether it’s a quarter and one can or a quarter or a can, it’s more than what we have,” said Nancy Bennett, COA board member. “We are much obliged to the community for helping us out and showing that they care.”

The Friday event attracted people young and old willing to give, including 8-year-old Braiden Baswell.

Baswell spent weeks collecting 119 cans from his neighbors, classmates, friends and family, surpassing his original goal of gathering 50 cans to donate to COA.

His mother Beth Caver was proud to see her young boy be more excited about giving than receiving.

“He said, ‘Mama, when am I going to get to reach my goal,’” Caver said. “His prize is that he reached his goal.”

COA gives at a minimum 8.5 pounds of canned food to every eligible low-income client twice a month.

Selma resident Lorcius Edwards has been benefiting from the COA for about five years. As someone who personally knows how it feels to receive canned goods, giving a monetary donation that will allow for the purchase of additional food was an easy decision.

“It’s just a blessing when we don’t have any food and Thanksgiving is coming up,” Edwards said. “They help us on every season that comes in.”

For more information on how to donate, call COA at 872-6904.