Christmas is less than a month away, but the Christmas spirit is already alive and well in Jackson County.

Even a pandemic cannot crush the spirit of giving and helping others in need, especially around the holidays.

First Baptist Church in Seymour is leading the latest effort to provide food to families in the community.

"As we will be reminded time and time again over the coming weeks, this is the season of giving, not because of the gifts we give or receive from one another, but because of the gift of Jesus himself," said the Rev. Jeremy Myers, lead pastor of First Baptist Church. "His great love and compassionate grace provide us with inspiration to sacrificially give of ourselves, as well."

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Myers said it is with that sacrificial love in mind the church’s deacon board has set a goal to collect enough food to distribute 200 food boxes to families.

The hope is that church members will provide enough food for those 200 boxes. Anyone, however, may donate to the project, as the church will not turn down resources to feed the community, Myers said.

He said this is a time of year where we celebrate the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.

"As we remember and celebrate the miraculous gift of his birth, we naturally also remember his death, burial and resurrection," Myers said. "We are reminded that the baby in the cradle ultimately grows into the man on the cross. Our salvation is made possible through his salvation."

Mike Lyon, pastor of family life at First Baptist Church, said there are several ways to help with the food drive.

"Starting Nov. 29, boxes will be available to pick up at the church," Lyon said. "You’ll pick up that box, fill the box up from the list provided and then will drop it off sometime as we begin to gather those at the church."

Lyon said if people are not comfortable going out and shopping right now, that decision is understood and respected. If those folks would still like to participate, monetary donations are welcome and will go toward purchasing food.

When making a financial contribution, write "Christmas boxes" on the memo line or on the envelope containing the funds.

"The boxes are due by Dec. 13 so the deacons can prepare to distribute those boxes," Lyon said. "The deacons have set a goal, and I don’t think it’s unattainable because we have an awesome God, so we have to have faith that we can do crazy awesome things."

Boxes for the food collection are available now and may be picked up at the church office, 505 Community Drive, Seymour, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. People are welcome to pick up more than one box to fill.

"It is our goal to come together as a body of believers so we can continue to be for Seymour and so we can be that light in Seymour," Lyon said. "We know the times that we are in right now are absolutely crazy and there are families out there that are struggling."

He said currently, the struggle is at an even higher level in the community.

"I can speak from experience meeting with different organizations that food insecurity is one of the top things people are dealing with right now," Lyon said. "Basically, that means they have no food, and one food kit that we pack will feed a family of about four people."

The food list for each Christmas box includes 3-pound canned ham, one box of instant potatoes, two cans of corn, two cans of green beans, canned cranberries, breakfast supplies (nonperishable), cereal, breakfast bars and/or Pop-Tarts, Ramen noodles, peanut butter, jelly, granola bars and protein bars.

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What: Food box collection

Where: First Baptist Church, 505 Community Drive, Seymour

When: Boxes may be picked up at the church office from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday

Deadline: Filled food boxes or monetary donations are due by Dec. 13; when making a financial contribution, write "Christmas boxes" on the memo line or on the envelope containing the funds

Items needed for each food box: 3-pound canned ham, one box of instant potatoes, two cans of corn, two cans of green beans, canned cranberries, breakfast supplies (nonperishable), cereal, breakfast bars and/or Pop-Tarts, Ramen noodles, peanut butter, jelly, granola bars and protein bars

Information: 812-522-1909

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