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By Travis Gupton

The Selma Times-Journal

The West Central Baptist Organization and ESA overcame cold rain to hold a giveaway for tornado victims at the Family Dollar Store last Saturday.

Assisting the residents affected by the January 12 tornado, the group handed out hot dogs, spaghetti, jackets, and other supplies at the Family Dollar on Broad Street.

The Family Dollar was hit by the tornado, but people still came out and got what they needed.

West Central and ESA member Kathy Smith said that the most important thing about giving out food and supplies is making sure people remember that someone still cares about them.

“The way that we look at it is, no matter if it was sleeting we knew that Jesus worked 24/7,” Smith said. “Jesus may have taken 40 days to go out into the wilderness to take a break but we know that our community does not need a break right now. We may need to do this for three or four years. Money is not going to fix this problem. They need love, they need prayers and they need supplies right now.”

At the end of the day, the group handed out almost all of the food, supplies, and jackets, which Smith said was a true blessing to witness.

“I feel like we are the ones that receive the blessing,” Smith said. “They may feel like they are the ones that received it but we received it. I can’t encourage enough people to go out still. We are getting rain on top of rain. The tarps are falling in. We had a lot of people ask for tarps to wrap up into their blankets because they are staying in these decrepit houses because they don’t want to leave their homes.

“With that being said, they need sleeping blankets. They need tents. They need air mattresses. There are so many items that they need and I can’t express the gratitude they give me. I just love my city and I love my God.” .