WHEELING — The week leading up to the Easter holiday just got a little brighter, thanks to a community effort that has become an annual springtime tradition that offers a helping hand for those in the area who need it the most.

Spearheaded by the Bethlehem Apostolic Temple, the annual Easter Food Basket Giveaway took place Saturday morning at the North Wheeling Community Dream Center.

Scores of volunteers helped hundreds of people in the community who came to stock their pantries and refrigerators just in time for Easter.

People from both sides of the river formed a line down the block behind the Dream Center, where tables full of food and other items were made available to them free of charge.

“We’re hoping that somebody can go home with a nice Easter package,” Suff. Bishop Darrell Cummings, pastor at the Bethlehem Apostolic Temple, said. “Sometimes you think that everybody is doing as well as you or as bad as you, but there’s always somebody who’s doing better, and there’s always somebody who’s doing worse.”

Cummings said the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King championed the belief that a rising tide raises all boats.

“There’s unity in a community coming together,” Cummings said. “We want to raise all the boats. We want everybody to have a happy Easter. We want everybody to experience and to know the love of God and the love of their community. We want them to know that they may be having a tough time right now, but we’re in this together. We’re going to come out of it, and we believe this is going to be a better year.”

The array of offerings at the Easter Food Basket Giveaway came by way of community donations — including a “Stuff the Bus” drive Thursday at Riesbeck’s in Elm Grove, as well as other collaborative efforts that involved “a lot of begging and a lot of prayer,” Cummings noted.

“As they say, I’m the layaway king,” he said with a laugh. “There’s probably about 32 food items here.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Easter Food Basket Giveaways took place, but were organized as drive-through events where pre-assembled bags of food were given away. This year, the big event took place in-person, and visitors once again got to pick and choose the items they wanted or needed to help make their holiday special this year.

“This is the first time we’ve ever been here,” said Kay Elliott of Wellsburg. “It’s such a nice thing to do. It really helps out, especially when people are in need. Plus, it’s a beautiful day.”

Those lining up outside the rear of the Dream Center Saturday morning were greeted by warn and sunny weather during the event that got hundreds through the line before storms blew through. Many in line agreed that the pleasant weather made for a perfect day to receive such an Easter season blessing.

“It’s a good thing,” said Jeff Stewart of Wheeling. “Actually, I’m here picking up stuff for my sister — she had to work. It’s a good deal. My wife usually comes with her every year, and I had never come. But it’s such a nice event put together by a church community.”

Food items made available to the public on hand included hams and other types of meats like chicken and ground beef, ravioli, green beans, potatoes and other canned vegetables, juices, milk, pork and beans, rice, pancakes and syrup (for the morning after Easter, Cummings suggested), fresh fruits and vegetables, pies and more. There were also easter dresses, suits, shoes and other items offered.

It’s no secret that the nation’s economy is struggling, and the price of groceries has gone up significantly for everyone. That hit to the pocketbook on grocery day can significantly affect those who are most financially vulnerable, so events like this are a true blessing during the Easter holiday season.

“It’s a time of need for a lot of people,” said Lisa Scott of Moundsville, who has visited the annual Easter event before. “There are people who are out of work, and this is a wonderful thing he’s doing for the community.”

Some visitors needed help carrying out their boxes full of food items, and volunteers were happy to oblige.

While many considered the food giveaway a blessing, some said the true godsend behind it all was Bishop Cummings.

“He’s a blessing to a lot of people,” Ashley Smigle of Yorkville said of the pastor. “He does so much good for the community, he needs to be recognized for all of the hard work he does.”

But Cummings described himself simply as the quarterback of the team or the band director of an orchestra of people that makes it all happen.

“It’s a lot of coordination with different agencies,” Cummings said, noting that volunteers from the fire department, police department, local schools, sister churches and an array of agencies all work together to pull off events like these. “We’re not doing this by ourselves — there’s a group of people. It’s definitely a community effort.”