By ERICJAMES OCHIGBO

No fewer than 1,500 vulnerable residents of Abuja, on Saturday received food items, shoes and clothings from the Everlasting Arms Parish, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Garki.

The initiative, tagged “Tabitha Tenth”, was instituted in 2007 with women and children as major beneficiaries of the annual event.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), expressed their satisfaction and appreciation to the donors and organisers of Tabitha Tenth.

Mr Moses Ngene, a beneficiary, thanked the organisers for providing food for people like him who do not have food at home.

“I feel happy, I collected rice, garri, salt and cloths and this is the first time I am benefiting from this programme.

“I want to say thank you to the organisers for providing for us,” he said.

Mrs Charity Adamu, a mother of four children, including a set of twins, expressed her satisfaction and prayed God to bless the organisers.

“I give God the glory, I appreciate God for this programme, may God reward the sponsors in Jesus name.

“May God give them long live and prosperity, more knowledge and wisdom to do more; may God take us to the new year and reward them, I really appreciate,” she said.

Master Miracle Ugbougwu, a 14-year-old said that he followed neighbours to the Tabita Tent to get items for his family.

“I feel good for the things they have given us and may God add more to the church in Jesus name,” he said.

Miss Joan Bulus, a 19-year-old, wished the organisers more wisdom and more resources to reach more poor people in the society.

“I feel happy, I got rice, garri, power oil and salt.”

Pastor Everistus Azodo, the Assistant Provincial Pastor for FCT 1, in charge of Christian Social Responsibility, said that the 2023 Tabita Tenth was the 16^th edition as it began in 2007.

He explained that the initiative was born out of the love to support the weak in the society and to reach out to those at the bottom of the pyramid.

“We know we always talk about hunger in Nigeria. It did not start today but now it is even worse than ever before.

“We think that the least we can do is to put a smile on somebody’s face; so the members of the church and some partner organisations have helped us to be able to provide food and clothing materials for everybody.

“Like I always tell people, hunger does not know tribe, hunger does not know religion; If you look around, you will see everybody.

“This is about reaching out to Nigerians at this time so that if we can put a smile on somebody’s face at this point in time, we actually wish we could be doing it everyday but that is not possible,” he said.

The Coordinator of the programme, Ms Modupe Ogundimu, said that the Tabita Tenth initiative was designed for vulnerable people to come to the market and shop without paying.

She explained that the material and items are sourced from church members and some partners like the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

The coordinator tasked governments at all levels and well-to-do individuals on empowerment of vulnerable persons in the society.

“The call is on empowerment, because no matter how much you give, we are going to continue this way if people are not empowered to fend for themselves.”

The coordinator expressed gratitude to God for being able to provide for the vulnerable, and to security agents for maintaining law and order during the process. (NAN)

•Vulnerable Abuja residents queuing up to receive food items, clothings from RCCG

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