Christ Church of Longboat Key host annual food drive for hurricane relief

Christ Church member Brent Piersma is always amazed by the number of languages he hears when volunteering at Our Daily Bread in Bradenton. 

"Try telling a person who only speaks Creole they can't have any more diapers," said Piersma. "Even with the language barrier, volunteering at Our Daily Bread is something that really matters to all of us."

His fellow congregant Holly Braun shared the most heartwarming aspect to her is connecting with the young moms who are looking for support. They will always express immense gratitude to have any food they can get to feed their children.

Sue Wertman has volunteered alongside Piersma and Braun for seven years. Since then, she has organized an annual food drive to collect for the nonprofit. 

After Hurricane Helene and Milton, the number of people they serve has increased to about 180. With shelves low, Christ Church members decided to take this matter into their own hands. 

Volunteers from Christ Church of Longboat Key held its annual food drive on Oct. 30 to collect hurricane relief supplies for Our Daily Bread.

Cars lined up in the church's parking lot, popping their trunks open with different items for the nine volunteers to grab easily. People donated a variety of canned foods such as vegetables, tuna, chicken, meats, dry pasta, ramen noodles, peanut butter, jelly, coffee and condiments. They also received diapers, toilet paper, toothpaste, toothbrushes and shampoo. 

Wertman said she saw many new faces donating food this year. It warmed her heart to see their desire to help the community even if they didn't attend Christ Church.

"We have already sent three full cars of items to Our Daily Bread," said Wertman.  "When we ask them where they heard about the drive, a lot of them say they saw it in the paper or heard from friends. It is incredible to see even people not from the church donate because they want to help after how tragic it has been due to the hurricanes."