ORANGE BEACH, Ala., — Pastor Michael Bonham and his congregation at the Peace Lutheran Church on the Foley Beach Express are doing their part to help those in the community affected by the oil spill crisis.

On Saturday, the church is hosting Family Day, giving the kids a chance to have some free food and fun and giving parents a chance to pick up some school supplies and even uniforms, all free.

Addressing the Orange Beach City Council on Tuesday night, Bonham said that across the country, other churches in their denomination had collected more that $21,000 to assist those in need along the Gulf Coast.

“We are using that money throughout the community,” Bonham said. “We focused in on the Fisherman’s Compassion Fund, we’ve given money to the Christian Service Center, and we are providing funds for individual needs as best we can.”

Bonham said the church was specifically trying to help those who are in the server industry at local restaurants.

“We’ve been trying to give at least $50 per head per family. I know it is not a lot but it does buy some groceries for another week.”

Across the country, Bonham said the church continues to keep the lines of communication open with other congregations so that they will know the status of the situation and continue to provide assistance in the future.

Bonham, who is a board member at the Christian Service Center, said that while requests at the center have been the same as they were last year, donations have gone down. In addition, BP has promised to donate funds to the center but that money has not yet been received.

On Saturday, the church will provide two school uniform shirts, two pair of slacks, shorts or skirts to each student who shows up.

“There is no request for proof that someone is actually in need,” Bonham said. “In addition we will be giving out school supplies like notebook paper, pencils, scissors, a school bag and various other items.”

In addition, the church will provide hotdogs, chips, soda and ice cream to the kids while parents collect the free supplies.

South Baldwin Hospital is providing an inflatable water slide and a dunking machine, providing an opportunity for people to “baptize the pastor.”

Bonham said he hopes that people will continue to join together to support and assist those who have been directly affected by the oil spill, and expressed concern that as time moves on, the needs may become greater.

Family Day at Peace Lutheran Church will be from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday. The church is located on the East side of the Foley Beach Express, just south of County Road 12. For additional information, call 251-233-1499.