A Brookhaven native hopes to clothe and feed the masses through her second annual giveaway.

Through Healing the Heart Ministries, Vanzetta May Bridgemon, said she found a way to fulfill her mission to God through giving and helping others. Healing the Heart Ministries consists of a giveaway of clothing, shoes, toys and other things, all of which have been donated to Bridgemon.

She said this year they will be also giving away non-perishable food items.

The giveaway event will take place Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Second Baptist Church at 611 Washington St. Second Baptist is the church Bridgemon was a member of growing up in Brookhaven. The pastor of Second Baptist is Rev. James Dixon Jr.

“The Gap gives us a lot of clothes,” Bridgemon said.

She said places like The Gap and Sears have things at the end of the year that they give to thrift stores and similar ministries.

She said at last year’s event they gave away more than 1,000 pieces of clothing. After the performance she said the pastor of Second Baptist asked her if it could become an annual event.

During the giveaway this year, Bridgemon plans to also give away bread, water and freshly baked tilapia fish. The choice of foods has connections to a story found in the Bible that tells of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with bread, fish and water.

Bridgemon lives and works in Waukegan, Illinois, but said Healing The Heart Ministries is something she was spiritually led to start in Brookhaven because it is her hometown.

“I really want Brookhaven to be my headquarters,” she said. “It would be a prayer and wish that would have come true.”

Bridgemon said she already has land in the city but is working on securing funding to build a facility out of which the ministry can operate. She said it’s important for her to give back to Brookhaven because she has such a deep connection with the city.

“I never wanted to leave,” said Bridgemon, who moved away to attend college in Chicago and has since been in Illinois. “And I want to be a part of it until I die.”

Bridgemon said she enjoys coming back to her hometown and seeing all the changes that have been made since she was younger.

“It touches my heart to see the growth, and I want to be involved in that growth,” Bridgemon said. “I want my part to be dedication and love to the city.”

For more information about Healing The Heart Ministries, Bridgemon can be contacted by phone at 847-727-1138. Those interested in donating clothing items or food items are instructed to contact Bridgemon on Friday, August 14, the day before the giveaway when she’ll be in Brookhaven to receive any donations and start set-up for the event.