Zandra Bright wants you to know that she intends to “spread love” in the City of Freeport.
As the COVID-19 pandemic began in March, Bright believed it was time to create a ministry. She founded Operation Love, a volunteer project which delivers meals to homebound seniors.
Operation Love served 20 hot meals in April, grew to 33 hot meals in May, and then to 50 meals delivered in June.
Zandra and her Operation Love volunteers switched it up a bit in July, delivering “Love Baskets” to 33 elderly Freeport residents. They hope to reach at least 50 elderly Freeporters in August. They will receive sub sandwich meals.
So far the project has delivered meals and care baskets, but this could change as people’s needs change during and after the pandemic.
Bright told The Voice that her love for Freeport is what drives her to give back through this program.
Bright, who moved to Freeport in 1988, wanted to try living in a place with less hustle and bustle. 32 years later, it’s fair to say that she was hooked.
While she sees an “invisible door” that keeps people planted in Freeport, she speaks with love about the close-knit community that she has found herself living in.
Bright has a love for children, a vision of helping seniors during a historic pandemic, and a deep Christian faith that motivated her to act.
To support her new organization, Bright is sponsoring a bake sale at St. James Church on Saturday August 15th from 9am-4pm. This bake sale will take place at the same time as the St. James community garage sale.
The Voice of Freeport will broadcast live from the fundraiser at the church to encourage residents from all over town to support this effort and give an update from Bright.
Bright has worked through Facebook and word of mouth to expand the recipients and volunteers of Operation Love. While based out of St. James, where Bright is a member and an officer, she wants the community to know that anyone can help. Especially welcome are young volunteers willing to work with the elderly, she says.
This likely won’t be the last you hear of Zandra Bright on The Voice of Freeport. Bright also has a project called “Bridging the Gap” in the works. This project will involve community panel type discussions between senior and younger members of the community.
We’ve also invited Zandra to collaborate with us here at The Voice of Freeport for her future endeavors and more. We fully believe in giving people the space to tell their own stories here.
So, keep August 15th open on your calendars. The community garage sale and bake sale will be from 9am-4pm at St. James CME Church on the corner of Empire and Armstrong. The address is 1001 E. Empire Street.
Proceeds from the bake sale will help support Operation Love.
Carl Utt is a newly minted local citizen journalist, activist, and hellraiser. He believes this growing plutocracy we live in along with the pandemic, economic crisis, and social upheaval presents us a once in a lifetime opportunity to change the world like we’ve never seen before. Let’s not miss the chance.
