BELVIDERE, IL (August 6, 2009) – The Evangelical Covenant Church of Belvidere drew hundreds of people to its second annual “Great Giveaway” held Friday and Saturday, July 24-25.
People from the church donated household items, toys, and books. Individuals and families from the community are invited to come and take what they need. The event was free.
People from the church donated household items, toys, and books. Individuals and families from the community are invited to come and take what they need. The event was free.
Nancy Nellis, one of the organizers, says mounds of clothing of all sizes covered 16 tables, filled an entire coatroom and hung on racks. One wing of the basement was filled with household items. A Sunday school room was filled with stuffed toys and dolls.
By Saturday afternoon most tables and all of the rooms were empty. The few remaining items were boxed and taken to the Boone County Food Pantry for distribution.
“We want to demonstrate the message that God’s love is free, forgiveness is free and salvation is free – and do so in a tangible way while giving away all this free stuff,” Ellis says.