
DATE: Sunday, September 14, 1997            TAG: 9709140098

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY LOUIS HANSEN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   62 lines

LOVE FEAST OFFERS UP PRAYER, MINISTRY, FOOD MORE THAN 5,000 TAKE PART IN EVENT AT MOUNT TRASHMORE.

What do mountains of onions, Christian rock and pony rides have in common?

Love Feast, 1997.

The food bank and evangelical mission held Saturday at Mount Trashmore attracted more than 5,000 people from all over Hampton Roads, organizer Gene Markland said.

The third annual feast featured prayer, ministry and free food. Some of those who came were needy in body, others in spirit.

``The Bible says to feed the poor and clothe the naked,'' Markland said. ``There's a great deal of need in Virginia Beach, although you wouldn't know it.''

The mission has grown from helping a few hundred families in Norfolk in 1995 to a large festival. ``We would like for this to become an annual event here,'' Markland said.

About 2,500 bags of groceries, packed with cereal, fresh vegetables and sundry canned goods, were provided by Operation Blessing. A basketball court also was filled with donated clothes.

More than 40 Hampton Roads churches joined in the effort.

Although some appeared needierthan others, several participants acknowledged that the annual, large-scale grocery giveaway was a good idea.

Thousands of people waited as long as two hours to reach a cordoned area, where Christian ministers and lay persons exhorted their faith.

After a half-hour of listening to the Gospel, people lined up again, receiving Christian literature and prayers before collecting bags of groceries.

Bonnie Hicks, 44, works 30 hours a week for Goodwill to support herself and her 9-year-old daughter.

``Even though I work, I still need help,'' said Hicks, who lives in Chesapeake.

``It's good for me.''

Volunteer Pete Van de Riet of Virginia Beach said the event is a great way to get out his message. The 18-year-old business major at Old Dominion University performed Saturday with his rock band, Wave.

``They see what's going on,'' he said, ``and they hear the name of Jesus.''

Children enjoyed the sunny day and free picnic, complete with hot dogs, soda, potato chips and cupcakes.

Their good news?

The grass on Mount Trashmore was freshly cut, making it even more fun to run up and tumble down. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

TING-LI WANG/The Virginian-Pilot

Renee Blackley and her husband, Alvin, take part in Love Feast, 1997

Saturday.

TING-LI WANG

The Virginian-Pilot

Teresa Bland gets in line to receive one about 2,500 bags of

groceries - packed with cereal, fresh vegetables and canned goods -

being given out Saturday at Love Feast, 1997 at Mount Trashmore.