HAMLET — King’s Gate Church International feeds about 750 Richmond County residents every Tuesday, operating with a community-first mindset. Beyond providing meals, the church has expanded its Children’s Hope Center initiatives to assist all children in need throughout the county, as well as senior citizens.
“We feed about 750 people every Tuesday. The meals and groceries that we have, we bag them up. We’ve got the Children’s Hope Center, where foster kids, DSS kids or any kid that’s in trouble in Richmond County we’ll provide them with two new outfits, new shoes, coats, book bags and diapers. We’ve bought cribs. It’s all self-funded by the people. I’ve got one church, Jefferson Park, that contribute to it every week. It’s mostly the community that helps,” said Charles Knight, outreach coordinator at King’s Gate Church.
Knight emphasized that all clothing and items distributed are either brand new or gently worn. “Everything is new. I don’t take used clothes because it’s nice to wear new clothes, I want them to wear new clothes,” he said. “We serve the community. We help certain people out that’s got different situations.”
The outreach efforts extend beyond children in foster care or under the Department of Social Services. Knight explained that anyone facing hardship, such as families whose homes have burned down, can receive help. “House burning down, clothes — it’s not just DSS or foster kids — it’s people in need.”
Knight shared that he has long wanted to start these initiatives.
“I’ve wanted to do this for 20 years and God made a way. I’ve got great volunteers. These people love serving the community, especially the elderly. We’ve started to provide clothes for the elderly people. Low income fixed people live around $600. I think we should take care our most vulnerable people — which is kids and elderly people,” said Knight. “If there’s something in between, we’ll try to get to you. Kids and elderly, that’s where my heart is.”
At the start of each school year, social workers come to the Children’s Hope Center to pick up clothing for children identified as needing it.
“At the beginning of the school year, all of the social workers they come over here and get clothes because after about a week of school, they know which kids need it. They’ll come up here and we’ll provide the clothes and shoes,” Knight said.
Recalling his own childhood, Knight said he understands how important it is for children to have new clothes for school. “I know that feeling and if I can take that away from a child in need, I’m happy.”
All of King’s Gate’s outreach programs are volunteer-based and funded entirely by donations.
“This is all volunteer. Nobody gets paid. Every dime that people give us goes into this. The church gave us this building and pay the light bill for us — they help out that way,” Knight said.
The community also supports ongoing efforts, including a Thanksgiving meal open to all.
“At Thanksgiving, I do a community meal. Last year, we served 2,100. We do it all. I do that for the community as a whole. Rich, poor, in between. We try to feed them and do something good for the community,” Knight said.
Free meals are served every Tuesday, while the Children’s Hope Center remains open all week.
“If somebody calls, we’ll take care of them,” said Knight.
Knight expressed appreciation for Richmond County Commissioner Jamie Gathings, who recently volunteered at the church’s event.
“Commissioner Jamie Gathings asked me about this place when he started running. He told me that he would stop by and see what we’re all about. He did. I appreciate him coming,” Knight said.
Volunteer Dianna Balli, who helps at the Children’s Hope Center on Mondays and Tuesdays, noted the program’s growth.
“I have a list of things I try to give, especially to the DSS children. We first started with DSS children, then Charles decided to do seniors also. We’ve also started helping the homeless,” she said.
Balli shared the efforts to provide warm clothing during winter. “In the wintertime, we try to give them coats and keep that stocked up well.”
Knight and his team has also prepared homeless bags for those without shelter.
Balli shared a moving story about the center’s impact: “This was exciting to me how God works here. I had social services come in for a senior lady and she had nothing, so we tried to get her as much as we could such as clothes,” she said. When the lady could not find pajamas in the section, Balli found a pair in the back from recent donations. “That was really just touching to me. God always works in this place,” she said.
Donations for King’s Gate Church Outreach can be sent to 161 Sierra Avenue in Hamlet. The church accepts monetary gifts, and volunteers are always welcome. Knight can be reached at 910-995-2943.