Local churches, crusade unite to feed hungry

Deepa Bharath

In a show of unity, several Newport-Mesa churches came together on

Saturday in Costa Mesa to feed the hungry.

It was part of the annual Serve Day for local churches, but this

time it coincided with the Billy Graham Crusade, an evangelical

movement, which on Saturday teamed with local churches in Feasts of

Faith, a program that aims to reach communities in Los Angeles and

Orange counties. Such events prove to the community that churches

exist for a common cause, said Dale Fitch, pastor of Lighthouse

Community Church in Costa Mesa.

“It shows people that we can come together to serve the

community,” he said.

Volunteers arranged tables and chairs under a white tent at Lions

Park where preachers sang rock ‘n’ roll karaoke-style, entertained

and ministered to the guests as they enjoyed their food.

About 400 people were expected to attend the event, said Kelly

McFadden of Mariners Church in Irvine.

“The idea of the feast is from the Book of Luke where a man

invites a bunch of people to a feast, people who can’t invite him

back,” she said. “That’s the idea of this feast as well. To feed

people who can’t return the favor. Just love them for who they are.”

They picked the Westside so the event could be attended by the

homeless, the people who live in the motels on Harbor Boulevard, and

the predominantly Latino population in neighborhoods such as

Shalimar, McFadden said.

The dinner was sponsored by Taco Mesa and dessert was donated by

Strickland Ice Cream, she said. Volunteers from area churches also

put together 200 to 250 boxes containing food supplies and items such

as soap, shampoo and toothbrushes to be distributed to the homeless

and the needy, McFadden said.

Andrew Watt of Costa Mesa, a guest at the park on Saturday, said

he appreciated the efforts of local churches and groups that help

those in need.

“It brings people and the community together,” he said. “I see

some familiar faces, make friends and just hang out.”