Church makes big play

OKC-Lakeside Church scored the first opportunity to feed Capitol Hill High School’s football team on a game day this fall.

Coaches found players were competing without eating because they had neither transportation to go home and eat nor funds to buy food before games. Among Capitol Hill’s 1,046 students, 92 percent qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, according to data reported to the government.

Coaches turned to outside groups, asking for volunteers to offer pre-game meals, and Lakeside UMC was their first contact. Rhonda McGuire is a counselor at Capitol Hill, and her husband, Randy McGuire, is Lakeside’s pastor.

"The congregation rallied around this event," said Rev. McGuire. "I think every family from this church provided food or helped serve."

On Sept. 5, the team was bused to Lakeside Church to eat, and then to Star Spencer High School’s football field. Some church members attended the game. Two church families provided boxed chicken for the players after the contest.

The student athletes expressed their thanks with words and hugs. A church member heard one player say, "No one has ever done this much for us before."

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