Churches? benefit will help fire victims

Four area churches ? Word of Life Lutheran, New Life Community, Fairfield Friends, and First Christian (Disciples of Christ) collected more than $1,500 in cash and gift cards Tuesday for displaced residents of the Depot Street building fire.

?Gifts are still coming in,? said the Rev. Jamie Strickler, pastor at Word of Life. ?If there is anyone who could not make it to the benefit and would like to still give please contact one of the churches involved.?

Word of Life also is still collecting items to help New Life Community Church open its food pantry.

?We will be at the church from 6-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday for people who would like to donate gift cards, gas cards, diapers, paper towels, toilet paper, canned goods or any non-perishable items. We also have soup suppers and evening non-denominational services from 6-8pm every Tuesday; we invite folks to bring an item for the pantry.?

Word of Life will show the movie, ?The Nativity? at 7.p.m. Dec. 21 as another way to collect food pantry items.

?We?ll have all the popcorn you can eat,? said Strickler. ?All are welcome.?