Church Volunteers To Give Away Free Gas In Alsip
ALSIP, Ill. (CBS) -- Alsip police will be helping out a local church at a giveaway that is sure to bring out the masses.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Lisa Fielding reports, every Wednesday is "Soul Patrol" for Alsip's The Lighthouse Church of All Nations. Instead of midweek services, the church members meet wearing matching yellow T-shirts.
When they meet, they have no idea where they are headed. They load the bus and head for their "secret destination."
Pastor Dan Willis says this week, they will be at the Food 4 Less at 12150 S. Pulaski Rd., starting at 7:00 p.m.
LISTEN: Newsradio 780's Lisa Fielding reports
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"We'll be giving away about $5000 in fuel," Willis said. "We do the first 300 cars in line."
The volunteers will offer free fill-ups of $15 each. Willis says it will be full service, and there is no catch.
"It's hilarious because it takes people by surprise. There's no strings attached," Willis said. "It's a drive-by random act of kindness. It's a lot of fun."
This is the third year, they've done the free gas give away. Its the fifth year of their "Soul Patrol" missions.
"People find it so hard to believe that we shut down the location. We pay for everything. We have a whole facilitation process that when we arrive on scene we start doing because it's such a massive ordeal," Willis said.
Alsip police will also be on hand for traffic and crowd control.
"We've also set up a massive stage for entertainment for people while they wait," Willis said.
In a couple of weeks, Willis says the volunteers will be at four different White Castles and for one hour, the church will pay for everyone's food.
The Lighthouse Church of All Nations is a 2,000 member non denominational church that's been in Alsip for 33 years.
"It's a random act of kindness to help people get through these hard times," Willis said.
