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Bills vs. Ravens: Churches Unite for Playoff Food Drive Challenge
by Christian Hoffman
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. - As Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens fans prepare for their playoff showdown, churches in both cities are channeling their team spirit into a competition that will benefit local food assistance organizations. Community Missions of Niagara Frontier is proud to be a beneficiary of the churches in Niagara Falls participating in the food drive.
This spirited competition builds on a tradition started during the 2024 AFC Championship, when Kansas City churches challenged Baltimore's Christian Temple Church (Disciples of Christ) and other churches to a food drive competition. Now, with the Ravens heading to Buffalo, Baltimore's churches are extending the tradition northward.
"Last year's challenge with Kansas City created incredible buzz and successfully restocked local food pantry shelves after the holidays," said Rev. Dr. Callaway, Co-Pastor of Christian Temple Church in Catonsville, Md. "Now that our mighty Ravens will be flocking together to head up to the cold of Buffalo, we would like to issue the same challenge to our Bills friends."
Rev. Callaway reached out to several Western New York churches, including Rev. Dr. Ray Allen at Bethany Missionary Baptist Church in Niagara Falls, and Rev. Jan Mahle, Pastor of the East Aurora Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Reverends Allen and Mahle have been recruiting the Bills’ team of Churches. Currently participating churches in Niagara Falls include Bethany Missionary Baptist Church, Bacon Memorial Presbyterian Church, Mt Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, and True Bethel Baptist Church in Niagara Falls. In the Buffalo area, Grove Street Christian Church, Cleveland Heights Christian Church, and Payne Avenue Christian Church have joined in. Meanwhile, back on the Baltimore side, Christian Temple Church is joined by Grace AME Church in Catonsville.
Participating churches in both cities will collect food items through Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on January 20. As part of the MLK Day of Service, the donated items will be counted at each church, with final tallies due by noon on January 21. The winning city will be announced the count.
“What is so wonderful about this kind of event,” said Rev. Mark Breese of Community Missions, “is that it brings us together from afar for the common purpose of helping our neighbors in need everywhere… and showing that the Bills are the best, of course.”
Do you think your congregation can help push Western New York to victory? Churches interested in joining the challenge can contact Rev. Dr. John Callaway at john@christiantemple.org or Rev. Jan Mahle at jmahle54@gmail.com. Baltimore-area churches are likewise encouraged to contact Rev. Dr. Callaway to join their team's effort.
Currently the Niagara Falls donation locations and times are:
Bethany Missionary Baptist Church (2002 Forest Ave., Niagara Falls)
- Saturday, Jan 18: 12-3pm
- Sunday, Jan 19: 10am-1pm
- Monday, Jan 20: 11am-3pm
Bacon Memorial Presbyterian Church (166 59th St., Niagara Falls)
- Friday, Jan 17: 9am-12pm
- Sunday, Jan 19: 9am-1pm (Additional donations accepted via church office entrance drop box)
Mt Sinai Missionary Baptist Church (1750 Tennessee Ave., Niagara Falls)
- Saturday, Jan 18: 12-2pm
- Sunday, Jan 19: 9am-1:30pm
True Bethel Baptist Church (2820 Michigan Ave., Niagara Falls)
- Contact church directly for donation times
For details on supporting this initiative, contact your local participating church or email john@christiantemple.org.
For more information, please contact Rev. Mark Breese at 285-3403, ext. 2259 or mbreese@communitymissions.org.
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By The Numbers...
In 2023, Community Missions provided:
• 12,108 nights of shelter
• 153,023 meals
• 2,780 individuals with clothing
• 3,562 care days in Youth Services
• 43,388 care days in Recovery Services
• 72,302 care days in Housing Services
• 467 reflections & resources for Faith Development