A megachurch is relaunching two programs to assist the needy in south DeKalb County during the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will restart free food distribution and free COVID-19 testing this weekend, according to a news release. The church, which has a 10,000-seat sanctuary, is located at 6400 Woodrow Road in Stonecrest and will begin both programs at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The food distribution effort will be led by The King’s Table, a ministry launched last year by New Birth church to curb food insecurity. More than 100 volunteers will hand out packaged meal boxes, which will include fruit, produce and protein. Donations will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
The nonprofit aims to provide more than 20 million pounds of free food in 2021. Last year, the church provided food to more than half a million people, the release said.
“As we relaunch our efforts, we are looking to surpass that mark this year as we work collaboratively to address food insecurity throughout Georgia,” New Birth Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant said in the release.
On the same day, New Birth church will partner with MAJL Diagnostic Laboratories to provide mobile COVID-19 testing at the church’s campus. No registration is required.
“While the first waves of the vaccines are starting to be administered nationally, many people are still months from having the option to get vaccinated due to federal prioritization and vaccine availability,” Bryant said. “Millions of people are still anxiously waiting on their number to be called for the vaccine, so it is imperative that we actively work to expand access to healthcare and testing here in DeKalb.”
The free testing service will be offered Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. throughout February. Food distribution will take place weekly throughout 2021.
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