ATLANTA — The pandemic has impacted one of Martin Luther King day’s biggest traditions -- but Hosea Helps is still feeding thousands of people today.

Channel 2′s Audrey Washington was at the Georgia World Congress Center, where volunteers with masks on were making sure people get the food they need. Volunteers wore gloves and loaded groceries into people’s cars.

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Hosea Helps volunteers fed more than a thousand families on the MLK holiday.

When Stephanie Bringier heard about the event, she got into her car and headed right over.

“I think it’s awesome,” Bringier said. “It’s a blessing that they are giving back to the citizens. Me, including other families, we really need this.”

Hosea Helps President and CEO Elisabeth Omilami said the pandemic wasn’t about to let them miss out on helping people in need.

“This year, because of COVID, God had to give us a miracle,” Omilami said. “So this year, instead of not doing anything or doing it virtually, we decided to pivot. We’re doing a contactless food distribution.”

Faye Rashid volunteered at the event.

“What I’ve noticed is there is an array of people from different populations here,” Rashid said. “We have families. We have older individuals.”

At one point, the line of cars stretched down the street.

Tillman Ward said the help was worth the wait.

“It helps a lot,” Ward said. “I grew up in Dr. King’s neighborhood and we struggled to be an example of the beloved community.”

Omilami said the increased crowds because of the pandemic did not surprise her.

“Lost jobs because of COVID,” Omilami said. “Because a lot of people we service are in the hospitality industry or rent a car or work packing bags, so this is just a small example of the need.”

In DeKalb County, at least 500 cars were line up at a food giveaway in Clarkston. There were three other pickup locations across the county.

Volunteers passed out 20-pound boxes of fruits and veggies and a 10-pound bag of frozen chicken.

Betty Barnes couldn’t hold back her emotions as she met with DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond. Barnes came to the MLK Day of Service to help her neighbors who can’t drive but need the food.

“I thank you, I thank you,” Barnes said. “They need it. They need it so much.”

DeKalb was one of the first counties to start food giveaway events when the pandemic hit, and it’s one of the few counties keeping it up month and month out.

So far, DeKalb has spent $21 million of Cares Act money to feed 26,000 families.

“It’s really tough,” Charlene Lucas said. “And I feel sorry for the people who can’t get out here and get the food.”

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