Mahoning Valley - What started through prayer and social media ended with 50 families receiving gift certificates from a local pastor.

Pastor Krista Tyson of Mount Calvery Pentecostal Church in Youngstown directed the effort and surprised random families in the Valley in need at various grocery store parking lots and also brought donations to the Beatitude House.

Pastor Tyson said after seeing homelessness first hand, she knew she wanted to push this initiative.

"One city I was able to see the homeless... There was a huge pipe underneath the city and it was a mile or so long and just to look in that pipe and to see all these families that were laying in the pipe with blankets trying to keep warm..." she said. 

The Beatitude House said they're beyond grateful for this help since they've lost funding through the pandemic.

If you'd like to give back, you can send donations to Pastor Krista Tyson at 1812 Oak Hill Ave or donate to the Beatitude House at beatitudehouse.com