Thanks aren”t the only thing that will be given on Thursday.
Multiple groups and churches will offer free meals. Several will deliver. And all will try to find a place for eager volunteers.
The Columbus Police Department has collected 42 turkeys in recent weeks to chop into dinners for delivery Thursday by police officers, firefighters and volunteers.
The department is also collecting cans and money for needy families, said police Community Relations Coordinator Rhonda Sanders. So far, the department has received 10 cans of green beans and four cans of cranberry sauce.
Charitable citizens can donate cans and money at the police department from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Wednesday evening, she said. Turkeys will be accepted through Tuesday evening.
The Concerned Citizens of Ward 1 will partner with the police department to prepare the meals Thursday morning at Stokes Beard Elementary Technology and Communication Magnet School. Annie Berrie, with the concerned citizens, said all are welcome to volunteer, but to be at Stokes Beard by 8 a.m. to get breakfast.
“It serves a two-fold purpose,” said Berry. “It provides a meal and a visit.”
Anyone seeking a free lunch can also stop by the Columbus Salvation Army from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Again, volunteers are welcome, especially to help clean up afterward.
As always, several local churches will be in on the charity action.
Annunciation Catholic Church plans to deliver over 300 meals to needy, elderly and housebound citizens identified by a combination of Community Counseling, Meals on Wheels, local doctors” offices and other churches.
“Our policy has always been ”If you”re hungry on Thanksgiving, we”ll feed you,”” said Joe Haftek, organizer of Annunciation”s meal program.
Anyone wishing to volunteer at Annunciation can contact Haftek at 662-549-5151.
Liz and Brett Robinson”s Hands Across Columbus will meet Saturday morning at Evangel Church to deliver groceries to 100 families.
In Starkville, Peter”s Rock Temple Church Of God In Christ, at 223 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, will host its annual Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering dine-in and carry-out service. For more information, call the church office at 662-323-5119.
And at Columbus Air Force Base, Dormsgiving will provide Thanksgiving dinner in the CAFB chapel to anyone living in the enlisted dorms.
Jason Browne was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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