Providence Baptist Church, Hayes, gave away about 500 plates of food Saturday afternoon during its drive-thru community meal which was held in the church’s parking lot. Each meal included barbecue, coleslaw and baked beans.

According to Chris McMillan, Senior Pastor of Providence Baptist, the church began to host weekly meal giveaways on Saturdays when COVID-19 first hit in March and schools had to shut down as a result. The church wanted to provide meals for schoolchildren on the weekends since the schools were still providing meals to them during the week. These weekly meals continued through June.

McMillan said that the church brought it back over the weekend, and to give away school supplies as well for students who may need them for the upcoming academic year. The church gave away at least a couple hundred bags of school supplies Saturday.

“It’s a pretty big undertaking,” he said about the drive-thru community meals. About 30 volunteers helped with cooking and distributi...