Hundreds of people turned out to Liberty Baptist Church’s Harbour View campus for an early Easter blessing on Saturday.

The Hampton-based church expanded its annual Acts of Love Easter programs at its North Suffolk and Greenbrier campuses this year. On Saturday, church volunteers distributed boxes of food to 2,400 families after short, motivational services by retired NFL stars on all three campuses.

The Harbour View campus was giving away 400 boxes of food, said associate pastor Ken McLemore.

Swaying and clapping as the music began, Sheila McClain of Portsmouth praised Liberty.

“I came to one of their services last year and they made me feel so connected,” she said. “They went out of their way to make my husband, who is blind, feel so welcome.

“The food is such a blessing; it will help us at Easter.”

Nancy Thrower of Hobson agreed that the food is a blessing.

“But I really enjoyed the service and the fellowship,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of friends here that I don’t see very often.”

Shawn Harper, a former professional football player who spent seven years in the NFL and last played for the Indianapolis Colts, described the importance of being grounded in Christ.

As one of six children raised by a poor, single mother in Ohio, Harper said his mother took him to church several days a week.

“But I never had a relationship with God,” said Harper, now a Christian motivational speaker. He said he had to overcome a series of obstacles — including stuttering, other learning disabilities, poor grades and drugs — to make it into professional football.

It was when an injury ended his football career that Harper found his own relationship with God.

“Identity is so important,” Harper said. “I realized that football does not define who I am.

“I am rooted in my love for Jesus Christ.”

With its Acts of Love program, Liberty Baptist wants to serve and share Jesus’ love in the communities where it has campuses, said McLemore.

“We want people to be served, loved and encouraged … and we want them to hear about Jesus,” said McLemore. “We are trying to show how Jesus Christ can be the answer to life’s struggles and help through tough situations.”