TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – There is a beacon of faith, love and compassion in South Tallahassee offering a helping hand to anyone in need.

The Chapel Outreach Foundation is a labor of love created for the community by members of Jacob Chapel Baptist Church.

The foundation provides essential services and meets the needs of the most vulnerable. Keyerra Wright is a church member and hairstylist in Tallahassee. She is also a mother who lives in low-rent housing.

“It doesn’t shame anyone. You don’t have to be ashamed to get the help you need,” she said.

To residents of the Bond, Frenchtown and Callen neighborhoods, Jacob Chapel Baptist Church is known as the little church with a big heart. Melinda Harris is the church’s outreach coordinator.

In 2024, the church launched its nonprofit foundation, the Chapel Outreach Foundation, to continue its mission. Harris said the foundation focuses on helping low-income and poverty-stricken communities, children and seniors.

“We have a clothes closet, a food pantry and a back-to-school initiative,” she said.

Each resource and initiative addresses a critical and growing need in the community. Keyerra Wright said the foundation’s food pantry has been a big help in feeding her family.

“Since the cost of food has increased so much now, we’re at a point where we as single mothers have to plan for food stamps. So sometimes when we run out during the month, that’s where the pantry comes in,” Wright said.

Foundation President Irish Porter said the resources offered by the nonprofit go a long way in keeping many community members out of shelters.

“A lot of people can’t afford to go to Goodwill or thrift stores, so if you don’t have money, you can come here and get dressed for free,” Porter said.

Harris said the organization must now expand as the need for help increases.

“In the south, people are hungry. You can’t receive the word of Jesus if your stomach is growling,” she said.

From two hot meals for seniors every Saturday to over 300 book bags provided to students at Pineview Elementary School and so many other essential resources, there is a small church with a big heart that brings hope and healing to an entire community.

To stay up to date with all the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook And X (Twitter).

Do you have a tip or see an error that needs to be fixed? Write to us here. Please include the article title in your message.

Keep up to date with all the headlines on the WCTV News app. Click here to download it now.

Copyright 2024 WCTV. All rights reserved.