VIDEO: Addressing The Need During The Holiday Season

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Don’t forget to be thankful.

It’s easy, isn’t it, to get caught up in grocery shopping and meal prep.

For some of our neighbors, the holiday season is full of hardship.

“It’s a growing need unfortunately but we are here,” said Columbus Police Officer Rhonda Sanders.

Families throughout the Golden Triangle are busy making their preparations for upcoming Turkey Day.

So are volunteers with the Columbus Police Department and Salvation Army.

“Just this time of year is just a lonely time for some people. So it’s a nice way for people to be able to give and help others this time of year,” said Volunteer Ruthie Moss.

The Columbus Community Thanksgiving Luncheon is a tradition that feeds roughly 1,400 residents.

Sanders says more people need help. That’s why it’s important to lend a helping hand around the holiday’s.

“Most places like meals on wheels and most of the other places that usually deliver the elderly and disabled their meals wont be working that’s the one time that they are off for the holidays. Some people in our community decided a long time ago that they wanted to give back and now it’s turned into something big,” said Sanders.

Peter’s Rock Temple Church hosts a Turkey give away every year.

Oktibbeha County Youth Judge Paula Drungole Ellis attends Peter’s. She says it’s definitely important to give this time of year but the need for help is year round.

“There are people in our community that are less fortunate and it’s incumbent of us as people in the community who think like Christ did for us to give. Yes I see that but throughout the year our church has a pantry. We feed the homeless we feed the hungry and we’ve been doing this for many years,” said Ellis.

Peter’s Rock Temple Church gave away 150 Turkey’s today, November 21.

If you are interested in volunteering for The Columbus Community Thanksgiving Lunch you are asked to arrive at Stokes Beard Elementary  at 8am.