After vandalism hit Bethel Seventh Day Adventist Church on Sunday, members say the outpouring of community support has been amazing.
"We appreciate everything that the community is trying to do to help us" Church elder, Ralph Franklin said.
Franklin saw the damage Monday morning and said all he felt was hurt.
Members of Bethel Seventh Day Adventist Church in shock this morning after finding their place of worship destroyed: pic.twitter.com/PZ71CLFZsx
— Rae Daniel (@RAEtheReporter) June 11, 2017
"It still hurts because this is home," Franklin said. "But the pain for me is even greater because this is God’s House."
Just a few days ago, members reorganized the pantry to help families in need.
"A lot happens in this room," Franklin said. "We try with every ounce of our being to meet the needs of our community."
Now, most of the food needs to be thrown out.
"As you can see some of the bread has been thrown on the floor," Franklin says as he steps over food that covered the food pantry floor.
"When someone comes and destroys something that is a benefit for everyone, the first thing I think about is what is happening to this person that would cause them to want to destroy something that can benefit a multitude of people," Franklin said.
Food giveaways happen on different days each month.
"The unfortunate is that it’s going to be a little bit of time before we’re going to be able to step up on that limb and start helping in the immediate community," Franklin said.
While vandalism took away what others need, members say the community is filling that void by donating their money, food and time.
"Phone call after phone call after phone call, people are sending us messages on Facebook, wanting to know how they can help, what do we need, what can they give," Franklin said. "So the outpour, I can't say thank you enough to the community on behalf of our church, my pastor, Pastor Mann, and the members of this church, I can't thank this community enough."
On Tuesday, the church will have its mass food giveaway. Franklin says this giveaway is through Harvesters, a community food network. The event will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 3321 Garfield Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas.
For more information on how you can help or donate, you can contact the church at 913-788-7250 or get in touch with them through their Facebook page.
KCK police say they are still investigating. Anyone who has any information on this crime, call police or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
