Volunteers needed for feeding those in need

Welcome back to another Spotlight Series with Sarah!
The series where the writer gets to know the city more personally, while the readers get to know the writer better in the process.
In one of my previous Spotlights, I mentioned my passion for helping the less fortunate through missions and volunteer work. This stemmed from my parents divorce which resulted in living in a homeless shelter for three months while I was in the third grade.
Being one of the less fortunate when I was younger, I grew up wanting to help the less fortunate when I had the means to.
I’ve gone on three international mission trips with my home church to Haiti twice and Honduras, I’ve volunteered at a camp for foster children two years in a row, and have continued to participate in as much volunteer work as my schedule allows.
This led to me volunteering at a warming center for the homeless during the winter months at Lighthouse Home Mission for one of my previous Spotlights.

Vehicles line up outside Bethlehem Temple of Praise Church as families wait to receive boxes of food prepared by dedicated volunteers and provided by community partner Forgotten Harvest.

So when I was assigned to write about Bethlehem Temple of Praise Church partnering with Forgotten Harvest to feed those in need within our community, I instantly saw another volunteer opportunity for myself and a great feature for my Spotlight Series.
On Saturday, October 24th, I headed to Bethlehem Temple of Praise Church with no idea what to expect, but ready to help.
As I turned on John St., I saw the church on the corner, but I didn’t see a parking lot for the church. I had no idea where I should park, so I took a chance and parked on Woodward St (later I would find out, this was a good call).
I realized not only was I unaware of the parking situation, I also had no idea what door I was supposed to enter through. So, I awkwardly tried multiple (locked) doors until I saw an open door on John St.
I arrived at 9:04 a.m. to a 9 a.m. start time to see everyone was already busy working.
Thankfully, I was met at the door by Tony Faulkner (who leads the food delivery pickups) and he directed me where to go – which was inside the hall where boxes of food were being prepared.
To my right, were tables loaded with boxes of fresh produce. Volunteers were sitting at the tables, putting produce into ziplock bags. Other volunteers were taking those bags and putting them in boxes on tables to my left. Those boxes were the boxes that would be handed out to the community.
Produce such as: apples, oranges, avocados, peppers, tomatoes, limes, lemons, jalapeños, onions, and potatoes were all being put into bags. Other produce such as blueberries and grapes (which came in packaging) and celery were not put in bags but loaded separately into the boxes.
Not only did the boxes contain fresh produce, they contained items such as: bread, bagels, cereal, oats, crackers, ramen, yogurt, coffee, chips, candy, apple sauce, creamer, pasta, cottage cheese, salad packs, canned drinks, and more.
While handling any of the food items, I (and all the other volunteers) had to wear gloves, a hair net, and apron.
Once all the boxes of fresh produce were emptied and loaded into the boxes that would be handed out to the community, we began moving those boxes out into the room next to the door I entered through.
This is where other volunteers added eggs, meat, and frozen meals (such as frozen pizzas) to the boxes as the final step before they were ready to be given away. The entire process was like an assembly line with everyone doing their part.
At 10 a.m. we had 71 boxes ready to be handed out and cars started lining up on John St. right outside the door (which is why me parking on Woodward was important – not to block the line-up traffic).
Kids in the neighborhood showed up to help for a development program within Wayne.
Before 11 a.m., we ran out of boxes.
Forgotten Harvest drops off emergency boxes for when/if Bethlehem Temple of Praise Church runs out of boxes — like this exact moment.
I watched and helped Faulkner as he and the other volunteers prepared the extra emergency boxes as people continued to show up for assistance.
By noon, I believe we handed out 81 boxes total.
It was a deeply moving experience getting to be a part of helping such a large need within the city of Wayne.
Bethlehem Temple of Praise Church (BTPC) started partnering with Forgotten Harvest on March 22nd, 2025, thanks to Faulkner and his wife, Takayla Faulkner, administrator of the Forgotten Harvest program.
“They have a real passion about this,” said David Huguley, BTPC Assistant Pastor. “It’s not just passing out food, they’ve turned this ministry into hope for the community.”
When the program started a year ago, BTPC was feeding 20 families. Now they are up to 308 repeat families (1,025 mouths).
“We want people to feel welcome. There’s no shame in needing help. If we can be a help to someone, that’s why we’re here,” said Faulkner.
Forgotten Harvest provided BTPC with a van to pick up food and to make food deliveries.
Kroger, Target, Costco, and Walmart all provide food for the Forgotten Harvest program. Faulkner drives the van to pick up the food on Friday and then begins organizing the boxes and produce in preparation for Saturday morning.
The food pantry is every other Saturday.
People register in advance by phone or email. They will receive a reminder call or email on Sunday about pick-up Saturday to confirm if they are coming.
The food pantry is first-come first-serve and family size determines how many boxes you receive.
The recipient names are entered into a system that is relayed back to Forgotten Harvest. When the food is picked up, it is weighed and the information is entered into the system that is relayed back to Forgotten Harvest. Every step of the way, information is relayed back to Forgotten Harvest so they know how much food is being provided to how many people, how much food they need to supply, and if more food is needed.

Boxes of food prepared to give out to families in the community.

“The demand is so large in today’s economy. People are hurting and need help. We serve with dignity,” said Takayla.
Not only does BTPC offer the food pantry, but they also have a clothing bank. They’re currently working on creating a website so people can see what clothing is available and priced affordably. Then people can pick-up clothing during the food pickup.
The goal is to have the website set up before Christmas.
BTPC also rents out folding tables and folding chairs for events, along with renting out the hall for events.
“The church looks for ways to serve the congregation and surrounding community.
Prayer and service go hand-in-hand,” said Pastor Huguley.
If you’d like to get involved, there are many opportunities to help.
You can donate needed items: non-perishable food items, gloves, hair nets, gallon ziplock bags, and medium-sized Home Depot boxes.
The church desperately needs a generator. If the building lost power, they would lose all of the food, and people wouldn’t be able to eat.
As I mentioned, the church doesn’t have a parking lot. They previously had the money to get a parking lot paved on the lot across the street, but the money was stolen before COVID. Now it would be impossible for the church to raise the funds needed for a parking lot. If you or a business you know is willing to help create a parking lot, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Lastly, the church needs volunteers for the food pantry.
Bethlehem Temple of Praise Church is located at 5039 Woodward St.
For more information about Bethlehem Temple of Praise Church, visit bethlehemtempleofpraise.org or call (734) 331-4481. For more information about Forgotten Harvest, visit forgottenharvest.org.
If you or your family are in need of a food box or you’re interested in more information, call (734) 331-6863.
“This is an invitation to Wayne, if you need assistance don’t be ashamed to reach out, or to volunteer. Come and serve beside our team,” said Faulkner.
Be sure to support and get involved with Bethlehem Temple of Praise Church and be on the lookout for the next Spotlight Series with Sarah!