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Despite a year filled with so much loss, there are still many people who are giving what they can.

Faith Temple Ministries Apostolic Church hosted a Winter Giveaway that is hoped to be the first of many annual giveaways for Christmas dinner.

On the morning of Dec. 19, the church gave out 53 turkeys to aid the Suffolk community with their Christmas dinner. Church members and businesses donated these turkeys along with items for a goodie bag, including masks, tissues, hand sanitizer, and other COVID-19 essentials.

“It’s the season of giving, and we just want to give back and let the community know we’re here to help in this unusual time,” Jeanette Ruffin, Faith Temple Ministries Apostolic executive assistant.

With the pandemic still here, many are struggling to make ends meet. While giving out food to those in need, Pastor Steven Brown at Faith Temple Ministries Apostolic Church referenced Matthew 25:35-40.

“Jesus said, ‘when I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and whatever you do to the least of these you do to me,’ that’s why we are out here today,” said Brown. “We want to show love and compassion to the community by feeding them.”

Faith Temple Ministries Apostolic Church has been in Suffolk for more than 50 years and has established itself as a church always doing outreach. Since the pandemic, the church gave out care packages in March as well as school supplies in September.

“We love it, and we want to do a lot for the community,” said Brown. “It’s great to see that even in the pandemic, people are still so willing to give. Some people have just driven through not to get a turkey but just to make a donation. We don’t expect or ask anyone to donate, but they still do it anyway.”