KILLEEN, Texas (KWTX) – Destiny World Outreach Center’s 9th annual Feed the 5000 Food Competition saw the largest donations of food, volunteers and beneficiaries since its 2015 debut.

Feeding the 5000 is based on Matthew 14:13-21. In Scripture, Jesus feeds 5,000 people to satiation with five loaves of bread and two fish. Feeding the 5,000 volunteers Kelley Ray said the Destiny World Outreach Center event feeds more each year.

“People want to help other people,” Ray said.

Volunteers ranged from adults to teenagers. They were made up of people from church ministry and the general public. They were excited to spend Saturday evening giving back to the community.

“Being able to have the opportunity to give back is a blessing,” said Destiny World Outreach Center youth volunteer Ayana Hymes.

The event featured volunteers directing traffic to various lanes on which volunteers loaded vehicles with food.

After nine years of organizing the event, Ray said it’s starting to make an impact in Central Texas.

“We’re seeing people who went through the lines and got food and now they’re the ones waiting in line to serve others,” Ray said.

Ray said the mission of feeding the hungry was important to the Destiny World Outreach Center and the event volunteers.

“They want to do something that will benefit and help someone else,” Ray said. “And I think that’s the greatest reward you can get.” It’s about giving back. It’s not about receiving, it’s about giving back.

Next year will be the 10th annual Feed the 5000 food distribution event.

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