YORK, S.C. — Consumers are feeling the pinch at the grocery store this holiday season. Inflation, labor costs, and the supply chain are increasing the cost of food.
One South Carolina church is stepping in to fill the gap and make a difference.
Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in York County is holding a food drive where people are asked to bring a non-perishable food item and they can also experience a beautiful display of trains at the church.
“We see grandchildren tugging at the sleeve of grandma or grandpa like can we come back, can we come back," Abiding Presence Lutheran Church Pastor Charles Aurend said. “It’s our way of sharing what we have with others.”
“It’s just very satisfying to do," the church's property manager Doug Algire said.
The trains are running, but they're on track for a purpose.
"It’s a common problem everywhere," Aurend said. "Hunger is a 12-month issue.”
There's no charge to see the holiday display, just a nonperishable food item because the amount of money people spend at the grocery store has increased.
Pastor Aurend says there's a growing need to help.
“It affects the elderly, as well as those who are working and can’t generate enough income to feed families," Aurend said. "This is supplemental, this is not going to put food on the table every day but the contributions go to a good purpose.”
A good purpose is helping people who may be on the doorstep of hunger, while also feeding nostalgia and the holiday spirit.
“This is the one time when we can get interested in this kind of thing, and it works out perfectly because families are often looking for something to do from Christmas to New Year," Aurend said.
The trains are tools to bring big smiles and food to those in need, all while showing the importance of knowledge.
“How to do wiring, how to do woodworking, how to work with plastics," Algire said. “It’s always a work in progress.”
“It may seem like, oh well you just take everything out of the box and just throw it there, but there’s really an art to this, it really takes experience," Aurend said. “This really promotes creativity.”
The trains and food drive run every night until Dec. 30 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will also be back for the first three Sundays in January.
For more information on how to donate and see the train displays, click here.
Contact Lexi Wilson at lwilson@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.