When Henri Fletcher Lockhart saw the balance in her church’s account for providing food to needy families at Christmas, she knew something had to be done.“Twenty-seven dollars was definitely not enough for the 500 baskets we hope to provide for families in need,” said Lockhart, who directs (with her husband, Larry) the Baskets of Love/Operation Helping Families project at Akron Bible Church.“With the economic times being as tough as they are, we wanted to figure out a way to have a fundraiser and uplift people at the same time. We also thought it would be good to give people an opportunity to glorify God and thank him for what we do have.”Lockhart’s plan for raising money for the project is a gospel music concert, featuring James “Po Boy” Ingram and the New Gospel Heavyweights, at 5 p.m. Sunday at Akron Bible Church, 783 Brown St.Admission is free, but an offering will be taken.The gospel group, which recently celebrated its 18th anniversary, sings jubilee music and spirituals in four-part harmony. It is made up of five vocalists, ranging in age from 13 to 74, and four band members.Ingram, 70, sings lead (which is typically the melody); James Green (Lockhart’s brother), 74, sings second tenor; Ronald Johnson, 39, sings first tenor and plays drums; Wilbert Owens, 62, sings baritone; and Larry Morris, 56, sings lead and background. Members of the group also switch parts on various songs.The 13-year-old is Ernest Johnson III. The eighth-grader at Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts in Akron typically opens for the group, which sings background for him.Band members are Sir James Brown, 57, on rhythm guitar; James “Jimmy” Ingram Jr., 46, on bass guitar; Russell Smith, 58, on lead guitar; and John Walker, 34, on drums.The group traces its roots to Brooklyn, N.Y., and originally was known as Frank Tate and the New Gospel Heavyweights. In 1994, Tate recruited Ingram, of Akron, to sing with the group.When Tate became ill in 2002, he turned the reins of the group over to Ingram. After Tate died, Ingram began replacing group members with vocalists and musicians from the Akron area. The group is now based in Akron.Ingram said the goal of the group is to spread the message of the gospel through song. He said the group decided to donate all proceeds from the concert to the Baskets of Love program.“That’s what it’s all about: helping people,” Ingram said. “We sing because we want to help people come to know the love of God, and they are sharing the love of Jesus Christ with their food boxes.”The holiday food ministry began in 1980 with distribution to a dozen needy families. Over the years, it has grown with the help of donations from local businesses, individuals and congregations of various faiths. Several Akron-area schools also donate items from food drives.During its peak year, the ministry provided 3,000 Baskets of Love. Each box typically includes a turkey, potatoes, flour, sugar, eggs, bread, fruit and canned goods.The Operation Helping Families portion of the ministry distributes new toys to children in needy families.The church is in need of new unwrapped new toys, turkeys, gift cards and money for Baskets of Love/Operation Helping Families. To donate, call 330-376- 5673 or send checks to Akron Bible Church, 783 Brown St., Akron, OH 44311. For information about the church, visit www.
akronbiblechurch.org.“Our goal is to show God’s love by reaching out and helping people in need,” Lockhart said. “We want people to think about the great love of God that made him give his only son for us. It’s the birth of that son that we celebrate at Christmas.”Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com.