Annual SW Ocala outreach

Rev. Joshua Sarmiento and Judy Thompson put turkeys in the trunk of a vehicle during the annual Feeding His Sheep Thanksgiving turkey and groceries giveaway on Nov. 20 in Ocala. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]

Hundreds of families will have a brighter Thanksgiving holiday thanks to the annual Feeding His Sheep Food Ministry free turkey and grocery distribution event that took place Nov. 20 in the 7000 block of Southwest State Road 200.

The food distribution, held by an outreach of Feeding His Sheep and Ignite Ministries, saw volunteers distribute 8- to 14-pound turkeys, vegetables, fruit and baked goods.

Recipients in the car line, like Rhonda, were smiling and said they appreciated receiving the food.

“This will help my family. We’ve been struggling,” she said as volunteers loaded her car and the line moved forward.

Judy Thompson, with Feeding His Sheep, said the event provided food for 369 families or 1,074 individuals and that 244 cars passed through. She said cars began lining up at 5:30 a.m. for the event, which started at 9 a.m.

Volunteer Josiah Ingram kept the car line moving along while Wayne NeSmith, a volunteer at the annual event for at least 10 years, said he loves to work at the distribution. NeSmith said the turnout on Thursday was the largest he’s seen to date.

Additional volunteers included the Rev. Joshua Sarmiento, senior pastor of Ignite Ministries; the Rev. Dave Ingram with Ignite; Cheryl Ann Samuel; and Williston police officer Gessica Gonzalez.

Kaleb,17, said it “feels good” to volunteer.

One food recipient said he was “very grateful” for the help.

Nate Suleiman and Rebecca Rodriguez of Central Florida Realty and Susan Reed of Brick City Title volunteered to load cars. The two companies were among those that donated food or funds, or both, for the distribution. Reed said the volunteer work was “heartwarming.”

Sisters Charlene Dehaney of Jamaica and Lena Somerville, a nurse visiting from the Manchester, England area, chipped in to help.

Somerville commented on the number of people who turned out for the distribution and the amount of surplus food.

“It surprises me,” she said.

To learn more, go to igniteocala.com and zionsarmy.net

Judy Thompson with Feeding His Sheep, and volunteers, Charlene Dehaney, center, and Lena Somerville, foreground, load groceries into a car. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]