Video: Many Families Will Now Have A Turkey On Their Tables For Thanksgiving

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – One Noxubee County church is making it possible for families to have turkey on their tables for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving wouldn’t be complete without turkey, which is why Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church held a turkey drive to make sure families who aren’t as fortunate as others, don’t go without.

“A turkey that is given to them that they don’t have to be worried about trying to make ends meet, their ends are already met through the grace of God that they’re met, so that’s the good thing about it,” says Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Mack Young.

Families started lining up outside of the church two hours before the giveaway started, and within thirty minutes of the drive, all of the turkeys were gone.

“It just overwhelmed my heart to see the people come by and say thank you Mt. Zion, and it’s not just a my thing, it’s a our. We really thank God for touching the hearts of all of the volunteers that helped put this together with me,” says Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Food Pantry Director, Ester Duck.

Volunteer Willie Selley had one of the most important jobs, making sure the 200 turkeys made it to the church on time. That’s why he went to the Food Giant in Columbus to pick them all up at 6 a.m.

“When they got there, we were already setting up, waiting on them, and they said, ‘Ya’ll coming to pick the turkeys up?’ I said, ‘Oh yes.’ He said, ‘Well, go around to the back.’ So, we did and we had a good time. It took four of us to load them up, but we got them here.”

Although 200 turkeys were given out, over 500 mouths will be fed.

“Today is a great day. We were able to come to the food pantry, and I got my turkey and some trimmings to go with it, and I’m going to be able to do a Thanksgiving dinner, and invite friends over. It’s just a blessing,” says Noxubee County resident, Eliza Johnson.

A blessing that many wouldn’t have had without the drive.

“We are really blessed for this, and I’m going to take this turkey, and I’m going to deep fry it, and me and my family are going to have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thank God,” says Noxubee County resident, Steve Cunningham.

This is the second year for the drive and it took over six months to plan.