A North Carolina pastor has been helping children in need throughout his county, whether they need clothes, housing, or even a family—with programs like his church's Foster and Adoption Ministry.

A few years ago his City Church in Gastonia started Hope Closet, a clothing giveaway for kids who may be displaced, or kids in schools who need new shoes.

A few weeks ago he ran across a news article about the growing number of kids whose school lunch accounts remain unpaid.

School lunch debt is a problem for districts across North Carolina, including Gaston County where Pastor Dickie Spargo learned that families owe a total of $13,000.

"We decided that we were going to share it with our church, and then just take up an offering and see what would happen," Spargo told local media.

In less than two weeks, the congregation raised $23,000.

"What a great opportunity to bless these kids," the pastor told his congregation after delivering the check.

He learned that the schools are "doing their best" to reach parents, urging them to apply for the ‘free or reduced lunch program', which the government uses to reimburse costs of meals that would otherwise be charged to the school.

The $23,000 donation from the large Christian church will eliminate student lunch debt for the year, and the rest will help pay off debt for next school year.

"Praise God," exclaimed Pastor Spargo.

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