Liberty Baptist Church is celebrating Easter by giving away 2,400 boxes of food to families in need.

This week and the next, the church is taking phone reservations for the boxes of food, which will be available for collection at the Harbour View campus in Bridgeway Technology Center, 7025 Harbour View Blvd., on April 19.

Jennifer Ward, Liberty’s executive assistant, said 800 boxes of food will be distributed at the Harbour View location, which opened in September, while 1,600 will be distributed at the Hampton campus.

“We do it every year,” Ward said. “This is the first year we have had the opportunity to do it at the Harbour View campus. We are excited about the opportunity to reach the community on that side of the water.”

Easter, when Christ was resurrected, is a “really important time in the life of our church,” she said.

“A lot of people get excited about the Easter season, and Easter is when we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, and what He did for us.”

Easter is also a time when many families host visiting relatives, Ward continued, and may feel strained financially.

“For those that have fallen on hard times with the tough economy, what better time to give them a box of food — as they are getting ready to feed their families?”

The 2,400 boxes of food, costing $25 each, have been entirely paid for by church members, Ward said.

“That’s just from the generosity of our church families,” she said.

Most of the food in the boxes is non-perishable, according to Ward, such as canned-food items and dried pasta.

Interested families can call 951-0331 Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Callers outside those hours can leave a message, which volunteers will promptly return, Ward said.

The April 19 pick-up event is dubbed Acts of Love, and Ward said that two times are scheduled: 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

“There will be activities for the kids,” she said, adding that former NFL player Keith Davis will be a guest speaker.

“It will just be a fun time to come and enjoy and get a box of food. We have volunteers that will load them right into the cars.”

Registration ends April 11.