Food, faith, and fellowship was the driving force behind a few women handing out lunches recently in Brandon's downtown. 

Mazy Rupert is taking the SURGE program in Brandon's Adult and Teen Challenge (ATC) women's facility.

"I felt led to just give back to the Brandon community. I gathered up some students who felt led as well and we bought a whole bunch of groceries and made bagged lunches. They had scriptures on there as well as a little letter inside with information about our Freedom Outreach Church we're doing every Sunday evening," says Rupert.

The church that is located in the basement of ATC's Superthrift recently opened its doors to the public. The church is hoping people join in the services no matter where they're at in life. 

"We handed out about 25 bagged lunches, and we need about two times more than that," she says. 

Rupert feels like this will now be a weekly occurrence, where anyone from ATC that wants to can hand out bagged lunches on Saturdays. 

As for the first time going out on September 11, Rupert says, "It went absolutely amazing. We spent a lot of time in prayer before we headed out. We reached a whole bunch of people. Because of that, we are so encouraged to continue meeting these people every Saturday and building that relationship."

Rupert had a big shift in her own life, which is why she felt led to reach out to the most vulnerable population.

"I think it's because of what God has done in my life. He changed me radically, as well as these students." 

After completing the one-year program in ATC, Rupert decided to continue onto the 18-month SURGE leadership program. 

"People need to hear about God and His goodness, that God loves them and that there are people out there who are hurting and need love."

Anyone interested can give financially to this ongoing street ministry by calling 1-204-949-9484.