Congregant Andrew Skero carries a box of food to a car at Orchard Hill Church's first drive-through food distribution in Butler on Saturday. In partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, the church will offer a food distribution on the last Saturday of every month. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Joseph Ressler

With the help of 30 congregants, Orchard Hill Church in Butler held its first drive-through food distribution in freezing temperatures Saturday morning.

According to Pastor Brady Randall, there were nearly 300 boxes available for distribution, some with dry and canned goods and others with in-season produce.

“Our hope is not only that they will get the things they need, but that they’ll find community,” Randall said.

Congregants Ken Randall, Trena Raub and Evan Kendall load boxes of food into the trunk of a car at Orchard Hill Church's first drive-through food distribution in Butler on Saturday. In partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, the church will offer a food distribution on the last Saturday of every month. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Joseph Ressler

Volunteers were bundled up from head to foot in order to cope with the single-digit temperatures. As cars would enter the church parking lot, volunteers would approach the vehicles and place a box of food in a back seat or trunk.

Randall said his volunteers all were members of the congregation and offered more than food during the event.

“We also have a prayer station, because we know some people are struggling during this time,” Randall said. “And there’s a text line, in case people don’t want to get out of their cars or aren’t comfortable.”

Ken Randall, father of Pastor Randall, said the food distribution is a way to get to know the people of Butler.

“It’s the thing to do and we have the time to do it,” Ken Randall said. “By giving back, it will aid people and feed families. It can be a bearing on the church and (have it be) known to Butler.”

Congregants Ken Randall and Andrew Skero carry boxes of food to a nearby neighbor's home during Orchard Hill Church's drive-through food distribution in Butler on Saturday. According to the church, they had nearly 300 boxes available with dry and canned goods as well as produce. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle

Joseph Ressler

This was the first food distribution in a partnership between the church and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Volunteer Dean Santamaria said the program is to aid community food insecurity.

“The program is addressing the Butler need through our church,” Santamaria said.

According to the food bank, 10.2% of Butler County residents were food insecure in 2021, and the child food insecurity rate was 12.1%.

Volunteer Andrew Skero explained why the congregation was willing to help with the cause.

“Serving God means serving the community,” Skero said.

“I hope, as we continue to do this and word gets out, it will be a benefit and a blessing to (the community),” Pastor Randall said.

Orchard Hill Church will hold food drive-through distributions from 9 to 11 a.m. on the last Saturday of every month in its parking lot at 120 Walker Ave.