Matthews church giving away free gas cards Friday

MATTHEWS, N.C. — People started showing up at a Matthews church even before the sun rose Friday to receive free gas.

New Beginnings Church gives $10,000 in free gas through the Fuel for the Soul event. The first 400 cars got a $25 gas card. This is the fourth year the church has held the event on Good Friday.

Barry Goines was first in line at 5 a.m., and seven hours later he was the first to get a free gas card.

"It keeps me from having to get gas, this week, anyway. Every little bit helps," Goines said.

Chopper 9 flew over the scene and saw lines of traffic weaving in and out of side streets near the church.

To help with the traffic, Mint Hill police brought in officers who would otherwise have been off duty.
  
"It's a way for us to sacrifice today by giving back, so we are excited to be able to do that. ... It makes us feel good to be able to know that in some small way, we are helping them to be a little more efficient in the things that they need," Twanna Henderson, from the church, said.

Church officials said they hope to continue this year after year.