LUMBERTON — State Rep. Garland Pierce pointed right at Angela Hill, of Lumberton, and told her she is a perfect example of the type of person elected officials and other volunteers hoped to help Saturday as part of the Sharing and Caring Christmas Program.

Hill, who lost most of her possessions in a house fire this past Saturday, was one of about 400 people who showed up at Lumberton Junior High School to enjoy a Christmas meal and to take home a food basket. Families receiving the meals had been identified by the Robeson County Department of Social Services and the Robeson County Church and Community Center.

Hill said the American Red Cross put her and her family — two daughters, a son and a 7-month old grandchild — up at a hotel for three days and provided a credit card so she could purchase necessities, including food, clothes and gas for her car.

“This really helped,” she said. “It took a load off of me at a time when I needed to work things out.”

Pierce, a Democrat whose district includes part of Robeson County, said he organized the Sharing and Caring Christmas Program as a way of encouraging elected officials and others in the community to help their neighbors in need.

“It’s an attempt to show that we not only care, but that we want to share what we have with others,” he said. “I hope to see the program grow next year.”

Robeson County Commissioner Jerry Stephens echoed Pierce’s sentiment.

“This is something people need to see,” Stephens said. “They need to see that their elected officials are concerned about them.”

John Canty, Lumberton’s mayor pro-tem, said the larger than expected turnout at Saturday’s event is evidence that the county and city is experiencing an “economic downfall.”

“We as community officials should come together to help our citizens, he said. “This (Christmas season) is a time of giving and should also be a time of prayer.”

State Sen. Michael Walters noted that a number of students enrolled in Robeson Community College’s Early College Program were serving as volunteers.

“This is a good example of young folks giving back to their community,” he said. “They are helping those who are really in need.”

And Dr. Tyler Nelson, of Nelson & Nelson Chiropractic, followed suit by offered a check for $1,000. Pierce said the money would be used to help provide everyone in need a turkey.

Doris Johnson, of Lumberton, hopes that her grandson, 8-year-old Tre Wenfrow of Fairmont, will follow the example of the volunteers they met Saturday.

“I brought him here hoping that he will learn to do stuff like this, “ she said.