WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hundreds of care packages that included food items and school supplies were given out to residents of Washington, D.C. by the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or Church Of Christ.
The care packages were given at a recent Aid To Humanity event, held at the INC’s Washington, D.C. congregation’s chapel grounds. Among those who attended were representatives from the office of Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Metropolitan Police Department, along with community members. Attendees were provided food, refreshments, and entertainment.
Philippine Consul General Iric Arribas said he felt proud to be a Filipino when he attended the INC Aid To Humanity at the US capital, seeing how the INC members are spreading kindness and helping other nationalities.
“When I came here as a guest of this activity, I felt proud to be a Filipino because we can see how the Iglesia Ni Cristo – being a predominantly Filipino organization – is now spreading acts of kindness to other nationalities, to other people,” he said.
There were 500 care packages given during the event – 250 filled with basic food items, another 250 with school supplies.
Ben De Guzman, Director of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs for the D.C. Mayor’s Office, extended his gratitude for the INC for holding such outreach events.
“I saw people here who are glad that services like this exist, and I’m glad to know that they live in a city where we are looking out for each other,” De Guzman said.
At this event, attendees receiving the care packages were greatly appreciative, especially parents like Ms. Rosa Bonilla.
“It’s important just to know that other people actually still care out here. This pandemic has been hard, everyone has been so isolated. It’s nice that [the Church] actually … made sure that they went home with something, and let people know that y’all are out here, and show that you guys do still care,” she said.
Washington, D.C. Supervising Minister Brother Matthew Capistrano reiterated why the INC continues to hold these events, despite the ongoing pandemic.
“Through this activity we unite with our fellow brethren in the district to extend help to our fellow man. And through this occasion, we were able to introduce the words of our almighty God and also give some help to our fellow man, just like what was taught by our Lord Jesus Christ, that we should always love our neighbor,” he explained.
Through the Aid To Humanity, a program of the INC’s charitable arm, the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, the Iglesia Ni Cristo continues to help communities with their needs – from donating food items to establishing eco-farming sites throughout the world that provide livelihood and housing to those in need.
The Iglesia Ni Cristo was registered in the Philippines on July 27, 1914 by its first Executive Minister, Brother Felix Y. Manalo. Since then, the Church has spread to 159 countries and territories around the world, with its members coming from 147 ethnic backgrounds.
The rapid growth of the Church is spearheaded by the dynamic leadership of the current Executive Minister of the Church, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.
For more about the Church and its activities, please visit www.iglesianicristo.net and https://incmedia.org/press-room/.
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Attendees at the INC’s Aid To Humanity event listening to the preaching of God’s words, led by Washington, D.C. Supervising Minister Brother Matthew Capistrano -
Aid To Humanity attendees going through a temperature and health check prior to entering -
A member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) entertains guests at the Aid To Humanity event. -
Ministers of the gospel, Brother William Dominguez and Brother Jun Guinto, giving out a book bag filled with school supplies to a parent in attendance -
An Aid to Humanity attendee receives a care package of food items and a book bag of school supplies.
