Bradenton church provided Thanksgiving meal, food, clothes on Saturday to needy

BRADENTON -- Thanksgiving may be a few days away, but on Saturday at one Bradenton church people gathered "to have a meal on God."

They walked away with more than just full bellies.

In addition to enjoying a Thanksgiving meal, more than 200 needy who went to the event at Praise and Deliverance Ministries International, Inc., 2309 14th St. W., Bradenton, Saturday walked away boxes of food and bags of clothes and shoes.

For Kimberly Porcelly who has been homeless for about a year, events like the one held Saturday at Praise and Deliverance are what she has come to depend on.

"Between this church, Bayshore and a couple other ones," she and others are able to survive.

"Times are tough," she added.

As she went through the piles of clothes available, Porcelly, 52, made sure she picked out clothes she could work in and that she could wear to church or court. A house painter by trade, the Miami native said she has to depend on odd jobs since losing the trailer she lived in and having her purse stolen, leaving her without any identification.

"Until I can get a place to stay and an ID, I got to take what I can get," she said.

The event brings a lot of new faces into the church, but it also brings some familiar faces, according to Pastor Sheldon Times. Choosing to hold the event days ahead of Thanksgiving, is important he said.

"I know a lot of people get sad this time of year, so I don't want to wait until Thanksgiving," Times said.

Times said he especially worries about those who have families or who have lost their families. It is important for him and his church to share God's love with them, he said.

"It's not about us," Times said.

In addition to a Thanksgiving meal that included turkey, pork, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, dessert and a drink, those in need were also able to get bags or boxes of food to take home. The supplies included rations of dry goods, canned goods and meats, portioned based on the number of people in a family.

The church was also set up with tables and racks of clothes and shoes. People were given a 13-gallon garbage bag and a shopping bag to fill with whatever they wanted.

Surrounding the clothing area were also booths from the organizations: Career Source Suncoast, Replay, We are A.L.I.V.E., Operation Military Assistance Program and You are more. Among the resources offered were job training, life coaching and housing assistance.

"We may not be the biggest church, but we have big hearts," Times said.

Jonathan Martinez, of Bradenton, and his mother and sister were feeling grateful as they waited to eat their meal.

"It's really helpful," he said. "It's a good pantry resource."

David Sweeney, 47, was all smiles after sharing a warm meal with friends. Originally from St. Louis, Sweeney has been homeless since March, he said.

"It's been a ride ... things like this always help," he said. "This town is amazing."

Jessica De Leon, Herald law enforcement reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7049. You can follow her on Twitter@JDeLeon1012.

This story was originally published November 21, 2015 at 8:02 PM with the headline "Bradenton church provided Thanksgiving meal, food, clothes on Saturday to needy ."