THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 21, 1994 TAG: 9408190249
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY XIAOHONG ZHANG SWAIN, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
More than 1,000 people lined up at Campostella Square on Thursday to receive packaged food and bagged potatoes distributed by Operation Blessing, a humanitarian organization founded by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson.
The food distribution effort in Chesapeake's largest public housing project was part of a national hunger-relief campaign that organizers say will deliver 280,000 pounds of food to the poor in Hampton Roads.
The food was distributed by about 175 volunteers, including Robertson, CBN President Michael Little, and employees of Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network. Also present were Lawrence Tero, the actor known as ``Mr. T''; Carol Lawrence, the Broadway performer who was the original Maria in ``West Side Story''; and D.J. Dozier, former National Football League player.
Clad in Operation Blessing T-shirts, Chesapeake Mayor William E. Ward and Councilman Joe Newman joined the celebrities in passing out the food.
Ward said he appreciated the efforts of Operation Blessing to call attention to the problem of hunger in America.
``It shows that there are people who care,'' he said. ``I hope the city will act more aggressively to address the problem in this area.''
Ward noted that the city had recently approved the demolition of 150 dilapidated housing units in the area to make room for new public housing.
Those who came Thursday each received a paper bag containing a box of cereal, fruit drinks and cans of chicken and beef.
``We have no canned food,'' said Robert Webb, one of the recipients. ``We like to save the canned food for special occasions, like Thanksgiving.''
Webb said he enjoyed meeting Lawrence Tero. He brought a copy of Tero's comic book, ``T and T-Force.'' ``I'd like him to sign the book,'' he said.
Robertson said the campaign by Operation Blessing is intended to do more than provide food to people who need it.
``It's the hope,'' he said. ``We let people know that they're not forgotten.''
Tero said, ``I'm here to help the less fortunate. The blessed must try to save the less blessed.''
Dozier, who is from Virginia Beach, said it was a good feeling to be able to help those less fortunate. ``Something in my heart tells me to help to feed the hungry,'' he said.
Lawrence called the Operation Blessing effort ``a great sign of caring.''
Brenda Shumate, a records clerk for CBN, said she was glad to participate in the project because she grew up on Welcome Road, not far from Campostella Square.
``It's exciting to see the people's faces,'' she said. ``The food won't last, but the spiritual food will be with them forever.''
Little, the CBN president, said that in addition to the annual food distribution campaign, Operation Blessing has programs through local churches to feed and clothe the poor. The project's main distribution warehouse is at 907 Live Oak Drive in Chesapeake. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Former NFL player D.J. Dozier, left, distributes food at Campostella
Square.
by CNB