On any given Sunday, 70 or so people attend service at Stockbridge Avenue United Methodist Church.
But on this particular Sunday, the tiny church will fill up with hundreds of people — including more than 300 volunteers — for a major Christmas event to help the homeless and people struggling financially.
“It’s going to make for a pretty crowded venue,” said the Rev. Ron Slager, the church pastor. “That adds a little excitement.”
From 3 to 7 p.m., the event — A Kalamazoo Christmas — will offer people a hot meal, warm clothes and Christmas presents for their children at the church located at 1009 E. Stockbridge Ave. in Kalamazoo’s Edison neighborhood.
Little ones will also get the opportunity to pick out gifts to give to their family.
The event will be run by volunteers who will give away items collected from nine Methodist churches in the Kalamazoo area. The other churches also are providing volunteers.
“What God calls us to do is to love our neighborhoods,” Slager said. “We need to be more compassionate to those either unemployed or underdemployed. Basic needs aren’t being met.”
www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/12/edison_church_plans_a_kalamazo.html
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