Thanksgiving is a joyful time of year. Cool weather, family reunions, full bellies and football games all make for great memories each holiday.
Thanksgiving is also a wonderful time to serve. Shockingly, Mississippi has the worst hunger problem in America. The Mississippi Food Network says that almost 1 in 4 Mississippians do not have enough to eat; that is a staggering statistic.
After your family eats this Thanksgiving, consider serving Thanksgiving dinner to others in your community! Many organizations throughout the state are looking for volunteers not only on Thanksgiving, but also throughout the holiday season. Here are a few we wanted to highlight today:
Salvation Army Homeless Shelters in Tupelo:
The Salvation Army in Tupelo is hosting a community meal on Thanksgiving day. Volunteers are needed and do not have to sign up. “You can simply show up!” they say. Volunteers can arrive anytime after 7:00am, and can stay as late as 2:00pm. The Salvation Army says, “Not only will be serve a Thanksgiving dinner, we will also pack Christmas food boxes, accept food donations and add canned food items to our pantry on Thanksgiving day.” What a wonderful way to serve in Tupelo. For more information, call the shelter at 662.680.2754.
We Will Go Ministries in Jackson:
Based in downtown Jackson, We Will Go Ministries will be serving a Thanksgiving meal in their pavilion at 799 N Congress Street this Thursday from 10:00am until 2:00pm. Everyone is welcome! We Will Go Ministries says, “Volunteering is about more than just community service. It is about building relationships…Our goal is to provide a time where people can hear from the Lord and live out the Great Commission by loving others.” You can learn more about We Will Go Ministries through their latest newsletter here!
Mississippi Food Network:
This incredible organization is holding a Holiday Fund Drive to END HUNGER NOW. They say, “Your support of the Holiday Fund Drive will help end hunger now for local children and families who do not have enough food. Every $1 you share will provide 7 meals for neighbors in need. Imagine all the joy you can bring this holiday season!” What an incredible gift. For more information, please visit their website here.
A special thank you to Caitlyn Sullivan for providing the beautiful photographs featured in the blog today. Members of the Inspiration Mississippi staff joined HIS Heart Ministries on Monday to deliver turkeys to families throughout the Jackson area. HIS Heart Ministries delivers over 100 turkeys in the communities around their church to the families of those involved in their ministry and long time friends (many of which are elderly) from the neighborhood. Volunteers delivered turkeys on Monday, November 23rd at 4:00 pm and many faithful volunteers helped deliver. Paula Stodghill, Executive Director, says, “As we enter the homes with joyful hearts, we are careful to ask for prayer needs and pray with each family. Blessing our families is something we do enjoy all year, but it's a very special time at Thanksgiving. The families are so grateful for our small gift of love. Come rain or shine, we will deliver 100 turkeys to the families we hold dear to our hearts and serve weekly.”
We hope you and your family have a very happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is also a wonderful time to serve. Shockingly, Mississippi has the worst hunger problem in America. The Mississippi Food Network says that almost 1 in 4 Mississippians do not have enough to eat; that is a staggering statistic.
After your family eats this Thanksgiving, consider serving Thanksgiving dinner to others in your community! Many organizations throughout the state are looking for volunteers not only on Thanksgiving, but also throughout the holiday season. Here are a few we wanted to highlight today:
Salvation Army Homeless Shelters in Tupelo:
The Salvation Army in Tupelo is hosting a community meal on Thanksgiving day. Volunteers are needed and do not have to sign up. “You can simply show up!” they say. Volunteers can arrive anytime after 7:00am, and can stay as late as 2:00pm. The Salvation Army says, “Not only will be serve a Thanksgiving dinner, we will also pack Christmas food boxes, accept food donations and add canned food items to our pantry on Thanksgiving day.” What a wonderful way to serve in Tupelo. For more information, call the shelter at 662.680.2754.
We Will Go Ministries in Jackson:
Based in downtown Jackson, We Will Go Ministries will be serving a Thanksgiving meal in their pavilion at 799 N Congress Street this Thursday from 10:00am until 2:00pm. Everyone is welcome! We Will Go Ministries says, “Volunteering is about more than just community service. It is about building relationships…Our goal is to provide a time where people can hear from the Lord and live out the Great Commission by loving others.” You can learn more about We Will Go Ministries through their latest newsletter here!
Mississippi Food Network:
This incredible organization is holding a Holiday Fund Drive to END HUNGER NOW. They say, “Your support of the Holiday Fund Drive will help end hunger now for local children and families who do not have enough food. Every $1 you share will provide 7 meals for neighbors in need. Imagine all the joy you can bring this holiday season!” What an incredible gift. For more information, please visit their website here.
A special thank you to Caitlyn Sullivan for providing the beautiful photographs featured in the blog today. Members of the Inspiration Mississippi staff joined HIS Heart Ministries on Monday to deliver turkeys to families throughout the Jackson area. HIS Heart Ministries delivers over 100 turkeys in the communities around their church to the families of those involved in their ministry and long time friends (many of which are elderly) from the neighborhood. Volunteers delivered turkeys on Monday, November 23rd at 4:00 pm and many faithful volunteers helped deliver. Paula Stodghill, Executive Director, says, “As we enter the homes with joyful hearts, we are careful to ask for prayer needs and pray with each family. Blessing our families is something we do enjoy all year, but it's a very special time at Thanksgiving. The families are so grateful for our small gift of love. Come rain or shine, we will deliver 100 turkeys to the families we hold dear to our hearts and serve weekly.”
We hope you and your family have a very happy Thanksgiving!
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