For the second year in a row, members of Revitalizing Our Community (ROC) packed more than 200 food boxes which were distributed to families in need this holiday season as part of the Holiday Blessing.

The event occurred Saturday morning at the old Kings Grocery at 711 Third Street, and vehicles were in line more than two hours before the scheduled start time of 9 a.m., according to ROC President Draco Miller Jr.

“It’s been a great turnout,” Miller said. “I got here at 6:15 a.m. and the first vehicle was in the parking lot at 6:45 a.m. We had them wait a little bit, and by 7:15 a.m. Third Street, Brady Avenue and the parking lot were completely full, so we started handing out boxes about 7:15 a.m. and we’ve been rolling since then. The people are so appreciative and we’re blessed to be able to help our community.”

More sponsors assisted ROC with the Holiday Blessing event this year.

“We had additional sponsors Hardwick Nursery, TexasBank, Brownwood Janitorial, and two churches Awaken Church as well as a Breath of Praise come aboard,” Miller said. “Also, Walmart, United, Brookshire’s, and Aldersgate Enrichment Center all came back. Those are all great sponsors and we are so blessed to have those.”

Regarding the importance of continuing the Holiday Blessing after how well it was received by the community a year ago, Miller said, “We are blessed to be a blessing. When we have a community that is in need – food prices are up, gas prices are up – things are just more expensive now and we don’t want families to have to decide whether to pay a bill or to buy groceries. If we can take a little bit of the burden off our community, then it’s important for us to do that.”