Local church gives away free gas to help families beat high prices

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- With gas prices putting a squeeze on household budgets, one local church is stepping up to help fill the tank.

Key Place Church, a new congregation in the community, hosted a gas giveaway event aimed at helping 100 families cope with rising fuel costs.

"We just wanted to let everybody know that we really love our community, and we want to support our community the best way we can," said Pastor Frencho Redes.

The funds for the giveaway came entirely from donations; from sponsors, community members, and the church's own congregation.

Even the local Casey's on Hyde Park Avenue pitched in by providing water and showing strong support for the initiative.

Redes emphasized that the event wasn't just a one-time gesture.

The church plans to make it an annual tradition, with future giveaways potentially focusing on school teachers, single mothers, or anyone in need.

"Sometimes it might be for school teachers, sometimes it might be for single mothers, and sometimes it might just be for anybody that's in the community," he explained.

The pastor also highlighted the "give and take back" spirit behind the effort, hoping that those who receive help will one day pay it forward.

"You never know who's in a bad situation," Redes said. "One lady came up who didn't even know what we were doing, and it touched her heart because she needed gas."

The church is now looking for more volunteers and donations to expand its outreach, especially with the new school year approaching.

More information on them and ways to help out can be found here.