INDIANAPOLIS — Record high prices at the gas pump have frustrated drivers for months. However, an Indianapolis church gave hundreds of people a reason to smile Saturday. The line stretching down the road ended with more than free gas.
Vehicles lined up near 38th Street and Emerson Avenue on the east side of Indianapolis. Volunteers from Kingdom Apostolic Ministries manned the Marathon station's pumps.
It was meant as a quiet act of kindness, but then word spread about the generous offer.
"Free gas!" said Keith Murray. "As you can see with all the cars, it's true."
"My pastor, he just wanted to take the burden off people. You know, we're already in a global pandemic, we already had everything else going on then gas prices, the war over in Ukraine," said one volunteer.
"Big turnout, bigger than we probably expected, but we are happy that people came out today," said Pastor Denise Moore.
GALLERY: Hundreds line up for Indianapolis church gas giveaway
Police directed the line that stretched all the way up to 52nd Street.
Murray was among the first to arrive and wait. "Since about 4:30," Murray said.
"To show them that we love them, and we are concerned about their needs," Moore said.
The church pumped $5,000 worth of gas. The giveaway was set to last about an hour and a half. The gas station needed a refill of its own, bringing in a tanker for more gas.
The church also offered comfort and prayer to all who visited.
"People are very appreciative, and they are thankful," said Pastor Moore.
It was a present at the pump. However, this community got much more.