Church meets 'a need'

Pastor Gordon Cashwell called out numbers inside Hope Assembly of God, a square brick building that sits on a block between the commercial and residential parts of Upper King Street. The numbers were stapled to vouchers. The vouchers could be redeemed for a free bicycle.

About 170 free bicycles.

This distribution is the result of a recent fundraising effort that produced $13,000, Cashwell said Tuesday. The bikes are meant to help low-income residents get around town during tough times, he said.

A lack of reliable transportation hinders low-income populations, making it difficult for many to find and keep steady jobs, go shopping, visit the doctor or take care of children, experts have long argued.

The problem is exacerbated by rising fuel prices, Cashwell said. Now, even those with access to a car might not have the financial means to use it regularly.

Cashwell, whose church is one of a dozen organizations and businesses that are part of the Without Walls Ministries program, talks with inner-city residents all the time. The goal, he said, is "to find a need and meet it."

So, the bikes.

Many work close to home, Cashwell said. A bike can help them get back and forth.

On Saturday, the church hosted a community outreach event on

Charleston's East Side. About 100 volunteers provided health information, material aid and counseling, Cashwell said. Those who arrived at the event early were given tickets they could trade in for a bike voucher at the end of the event.

On Tuesday afternoon, a moving truck loaded with unassembled bikes pulled into the lot next to the church, and Cashwell began calling out numbers.

Synovia White, 55, of James Island walked off with the first bike. She's not working during the summer months and wants to use the bike for exercise, she said.

Then Emily and Alvin McNeil made their way to the lot. Emily, 49, said she will use the bike to do some shopping. Her 15-year-old son said he expects to rely on his to get around town.

Jamey Williams, 31, homeless and in need of work, said he plans to use the bike to look for a job. He believes it will help his search.

"I'm hoping it will. I'm praying it will," he said.

Volunteers hastily put together the bikes, one after another, propping them up on their kickstands in a row outside the building. Inside the church, dozens waited for their number to be called.

This kind of outreach is nothing new, Cashwell said.

Hope Assembly of God offers an ongoing recovery program for men, it distributes groceries and there is the Adopt-a-Block initiative in which volunteers focus on one city block at a time, helping residents with tasks and leading prayers.

On Aug. 9, the church will host a back-to-school giveaway at which bags of supplies and uniforms will be handed out.

"This is an inner-city church," Cashwell said, summing up the challenges his congregation faces. "We've been doing this a long time."