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St. Giles distributes Christmas food bags to county’s poor
Article published on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 |
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![[Image]](/content_images/122707_par-08.jpg) |
| Betty Niles and William Campbell prepare bags. |
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PINELLAS PARK – St. Giles Episcopal Church distributed 120 bags of food on Dec. 19 to economically disadvantaged people for Christmas holiday meals, including turkeys and coupons for other items.
Betty Niles, office manager of the church’s Food Pantry at 8271 52nd St., said the project was a success mainly because of the assistance from residents and businesses who stepped forward after the pantry was torched just before Thanksgiving Day.
Niles said 12 turkeys were handed out along with bags of other food. She said Winn-Dixie provided the rest of the needy people with $15 coupons for turkeys or hams.
The pantry feeds needy people from all over Pinellas County and counts on contributions from people and businesses. On Nov. 18 vandals set the pantry ablaze. The damage was confined to one room, but hundreds of dollars worth of food and equipment was destroyed.
“The response from the community was absolutely tremendous,” Niles said. “I can’t tell you enough how thankful we are to be able to help the poor and unfortunate people we serve.”
The pantry also makes special food packages for homeless people who have no kitchens in which to cook. Niles said people from all over Pinellas County frequent the church pantry where food is distributed on a regular basis.
The Rev. John Hartnett said vandals set the blaze while about 100 parishioners were in church and 35 children were attending religious services.
Police have made no arrests.
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Article published on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007
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