Macon-Bibb County District 9 Commissioner Al Tillman is partnering with Bethel AME Church to hold a canned food drive that will benefit the Rescue Mission of Central Georgia.

People can drop off canned goods at Bethel AME Church (3607 Earl Street) onSaturday, November 4, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The first 500 people to bring two canned food items will be treated to a free lunch of a fish sandwich, chips, and water, thanks to the support of Youmans Chevrolet. If someone wants to donate but can’t make it Saturday, donations will be accepted at Bethel AME Church on Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Sunday during church hours.

“Working with our churches, we can better support the needs of our community, and during the upcoming holidays, we should take extra steps to make sure our families are taken care of,” says Commissioner Tillman. “This weekend, I want to encourage people to donate canned goods that will go to people that need it the most.”

“Our goal is to feed 5,000 people this year, and so far, we’ve fed about 3,000,” says Pastor Marvin Colbert. “We want to raise awareness of hunger and homelessness in Macon, and to give people a way to help.”

The first event the church held like this was in August when they collected canned goods and fed more than 450 people. In addition, they are sponsoring more than 150 Thanksgiving meals for people through the Rescue Mission.