Bethel East Baptist helps distribute food boxes

The day Keith Runels found a box of food sitting on his front porch, he prayed God would open the door for his church to bless its community in a similar way. Soon after, Runels — pastor of Bethel East Baptist Church, Woodland — got a call from Stephanie Herren at Hold My Hand Rural Mental Health Advocacy Group asking if Bethel East Baptist would be interested in helping distribute a weekly shipment of food boxes she had been offered. In October, they gave out more than 1,200 food boxes each Wednesday at the church. ‘God answered our prayers,’ Runels said. ‘It’s a great way to minister to our community.’