Crystal Church Changes Its Free Grocery Giveaway Policy

Serenity Village Community Church in Crystal is continuing to help residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. For weeks, the church has held a free drive-through grocery giveaway. However, the demand was so high they changed procedures.

Vehicles were lined up for blocks to get food, causing long waits and backed-up traffic in the neighborhood around the church.  At one point, they had more than 500 vehicles come through.

“We want to be good neighbors. But it wasn’t a good experience for anyone. The people were coming and having to wait for hours to get groceries,” said the church’s chief of staff Brendan Banks. Banks also serves on the Crystal City Council.

Serenity Village Community Church gives away groceries during COVID-19 Pandemic

Wednesday was a busy day, too. CCX News saw a steady stream of people driving in to get the care packages. The church switch to a different system to help make their operation run better. They are currently taking appointments only.  Volunteers are handing out boxes of groceries from Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. About 200 vehicles come through per day.

Local restaurants and businesses donated the food, which might have otherwise gone to waste.

“We had restaurants that were calling and saying this food is going to spoil, can you guys use it? And we were like, ‘yes,'” said Banks.

Banks says some people are picking up food for neighbors or the elderly who can’t get there during the stay-at-home order.

“It’s really nice seeing the community helping each other,” said Banks.

If you would like to participate in the program, call 763-533-3929 to schedule an appointment.

Crystal