LEXINGTON, Ky. — A church in Lexington is supporting healthcare workers and frontline workers by creating "fuel bags" that include notes of encouragement and healthy snacks.

“We just recognized that this battle, our medical workers have been against this virus, has not been short, hasn't been easy and that it's not over yet. And so we just want to offer hope and a shot of encouragement, be a blessing to these medical workers in our community,” Crossroads Church Community Pastor John Gillispie said. 

Gillispe is working with healthcare facilities around the city to bring a little encouragement to the workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We're assembling packages of snacks and drinks. Just as a token of our appreciation, to say that 'we see you and we appreciate you,'” Gillispie said.

Crossroads Church created a program called Fuel For The Fight. Using donations and help from the community, they hope to create hundreds of bags filled with healthy snacks and drinks to help refresh and refuel healthcare workers. 

“They might be from a fourth grader here, it might be from someone who was COVID-positive that got cared for by one of these medical workers,” Gillispie said.

On Sunday, Kentuckians were able to pick up and drop off hand-written cards and donations for the fuel bags. Gillispie said anyone who wants to donate can either go through their online platform for written notes, donations and their amazon wishlist.

Those in the Lexington area can also drop off the items in a box in front of the Crossroads Church in-person.

“As a church community we recognize that some of these health care workers have cared for our people," Gillispie said. "So we want to acknowledge that and we also don't want to be a church that lives inside our four walls. We are always looking for opportunities to get out of the walls of this building. Get outside of our church, and be active to be involved and share hopes, love and encouragement throughout our community."

Crossroads will continue to accept written letters and donations for the event up until next weekend, so they have enough time to pack and deliver fuel bags to the healthcare workers.