A Southampton church put $5,000 into gas pumps and then turned them on for needy motorists to top up their tanks.About 200 cars and 100 bikes got free gas, with hundreds of people queuing at the Warwick Esso Tigermarket between 3pm and 4.30pm on Sunday.Restoration Ministries Seventh-day Adventist Church’s team of volunteers paid from their own pockets once their church’s funds ran dry.Pastor Ulric Hetsberger called it an effort to show “the practical, loving side of God, with no strings attached”.He said: “After we finished and closed the pumps, a gentleman arrived with his sister. They’d come all the way from Somerset.“He said he was down to his last $20 and his sister had six children and no money, so our group pooled money and they filled up on gas.“They were both in tears. For me, that was the highlight it showed the exact spirit of what we’re trying to achieve.”It was also a chance for Restoration Ministries to ascertain the community’s needs, with motorists asked to fill in questionnaires handed out by church members.Food was a common response and the church hopes in time to organise a giveaway through a supermarket.The church relied on police to direct traffic at Sunday’s event. Still, some drivers complained about the heavy traffic from 3pm to 4.30pm.“I did read some of the comments online,” Pastor Hetsberger said. “I thought some were a bit hurtful in light of what we’re trying to do, but we apologise for any traffic congestion.”He added: “People don’t really understand how many are in need. You may think you’re okay, but the lines showed how many are struggling. Food will be our next major endeavour.”Restoration Ministries member Marvin Pitcher suggested his place of employment for the good deed. The Warwick Esso senior general manager also added $500 of his own money to the pot.Mr Pitcher said members of the congregation continued giving away gas as late as yesterday, for those who had been unable to make the main event.“One lady sat in tears because she couldn’t believe there were no strings attached,” he said. “It was just $25 per car, but people were overwhelmed they just couldn’t get past the part where nothing was expected from them.”Church spokeswoman Laureen Bassett said the group chose to give away gas in order to meet the community’s immediate needs.“So many people rolled in there on empty,” she added.Useful website: www.restorationbermuda.com.