Church serves as distribution point for Chick-fil-A

GREENFIELD — Eat more chicken. Bless the world. It’s all part of Park Chapel Christian Church’s plan to benefit the Greenfield community, said lead pastor Danny Curry.

The local church transformed into a Chick-fil-A distribution point Wednesday, serving up pre-packaged lunch with the proceeds going to charity. Park Chapel, 1176 E. McKenzie Road, plans to make a limited Chick-fil-A menu available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays. The temporary food service is staffed entirely by church volunteers, and 100 percent of the proceeds goes to local and global ministry partners — just one part of the church’s #blesstheworld campaign, Curry said.

Proceeds from Wednesday — estimated between $500 and $1,000 — will benefit God’s Open Arms, a local ministry that delivers food, clothing, basic hygiene items, bibles and God’s message to homeless and less fortunate men, women and children of Hancock and Marion counties, Curry said.

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The volunteers initially estimated to serve about 500 meals, but they underestimated demand, Curry said. One hundred people came through the church’s doors in the first 15 minutes. After a second trip to pick up more food, church leaders sold 650 meals. They plan to order ahead each week based on the previous week’s sales.

Greenfield’s response to the congregation’s efforts has been amazing, said Scott Kern, director of ministries. Church leaders’ goal is not to pressure new visitors to sign a membership card or join a Bible study; they want to share food and Jesus with Greenfield while helping out their ministry partners in the process.

“The reaction from the community has been insane,” Kern said. “Obviously, it’s not about making money. …We’re just letting people come in to have some good food and hopefully some good fellowship.”

Church leaders were pleased to see the buzz the news created on social media, said Curry’s wife, Jen.

News of the opening was shared dozens of times, with residents talking about how long they’ve wanted Chick-fil-A to come to Greenfield.

Seeing the initial success, the church is looking into the possibility of food delivery or even a drive-thru, Kern added.

The Chick-fil-A cow mascot greeted the long line of people who entered the building to order chicken sandwiches, wraps, chips and drinks. Greenfield resident and Park Chapel member Jen Frye said she adjusted her schedule and coordinated with her friends to make sure they could have some Chick-fil-A in the window of time it was being served.

“It’s an awesome, awesome chance to be hospitable to our community,” Frye said. “And who doesn’t like Chick-fil-A?”