With the current pandemic, economic halt, and growing food shortage foremost in everyone’s mind, members of The Love Legacy Chapel, based at Westchester Square in the Bronx, recently embarked on an ambitious, “Feed a Thousand” campaign, whereby they hope to eventually feed 1,000 hungry Bronxites each week.

According to Pastor Christopher Garcia, the church, located at 2500 St. Raymond’s Avenue, began the program in early July with a half dozen volunteers who handed out some 200 meals consisting of chicken and rice, potato salad, as well as fruits and vegetables.

The church purchases food through donations, and food is also donated directly through partnerships with local restaurants. It is currently operating without help from local officials.

The Love Legacy Chapel is an international church, with three other campuses in Middletown, New York, as well as churches in Ghana and Sierra Leone in West Africa.

Currently the church operates the food giveaway every other week, when possible. On Sunday, Aug. 22, members will be at the traffic island where Williamsbridge Road turns into East Tremont, at the west side of Westchester Square. Members hope to pass out between 300 to 400 meals, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The Bronx congregation was founded in December 2004, and at that time boasted 20 “committed members.” It currently has about 200 faithful. After feeding residents and passersby on Westchester Square on Sunday, Aug. 17, the members planned to visit the FDNY’s Squad 61 on Williamsbridge Road, where they expected to pass out the last of their meals. In the past, the group has fed police officers at both the 43rd and 45th precincts.

Anyone wishing to learn more about the Love Legacy Chapel or its Feed a Thousand campaign, can contact the church at 1 (888) 309-5552 or visit their website at: http://lovelegacychapel.org.