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By Leon G. Russ
HOMETOWN NEWS
For the 22nd consecutive year Spartanburg County community organizations and individuals have joined together to form “Feed the Community” to provide Thanksgiving meals to the hungry in Spartanburg County.
At a press conference at the Red Lobster restaurant on Spartanburg’s Westside, Spartanburg City Councilwoman Linda Dogan said “Feed the Community” expects to serve 6,000 Thanksgiving meals to the hungry this year.”
Dogan has been with the program since its inception, as has Foy Pritchard, who worked at the Red Lobster Restaurant on the Eastside where it all began.
Pritchard recalled serving about 350 people that first year and never imagined it would grow to serve 6,000 people.
She noted the event “kept getting larger and larger and larger” with each passing year, which is why Dogan called the event “a challenge, but it’s a rewarding challenge.”
Dogan also called some situations they find folks in as “just heartbreaking.”
She recounted delivering a meal last year. “I delivered a meal to an older disabled man who was lying on a couch. He told me to place his meal on his chest. We had no silverware so he said he’d just eat it using his fingers.”
She also recounted seeing a mother with three young children who had nothing to eat when she delivered them meals.
Indeed not everyone can handle making the deliveries or being on hand when folks come in for a meal. Pritchard recalled one volunteer who simply broke down watching all the families come in for Thanksgiving meals.
The volunteer told her she couldn’t handle seeing all those needy people but still wanted to help. She now works on the days preceding the meal by preparing food and other items that are needed.
Reverend Steve McKee of the Spartanburg County Baptist network said, “Feed the Community” is looking for volunteers to man the telephones, prepare meals, and deliver meals.”
They had around 250 volunteers last year and would like to see the number increase to keep up with the expected increased demand for meals.
McKee noted when the day is done, volunteers feel rewarded. He said, “It’s so nice to get out and help people who are struggling.”
In addition to volunteers, donations are needed to pay for the 6,000 meals. Last year they collected about $20,000 in donations and as with the volunteers, they hope the numbers increase this year.
Brian Young, Store Manager at the Reidville Road Bi-Lo explained they have been charged with the logistics of the event. “We try to come up with the most efficient and cost-effective way to pull this off,” he said.
He explained Bi-Lo is working in conjunction with wholesalers “to secure the best prices we can on the food they’ll need to prepare” and Bi-Lo will provide two refrigerated tractor-trailers, one at First Baptist and one at St. Johns, to store all the food.
Three years ago the event outgrew its location at the Red Lobster Restaurant on the Westside. Red Lobster is still heavily involved but meal preparation is now done at First Baptist Church, Mobile Meals, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Second Presbyterian Church, Cudd Memorial Church, Fernwood Baptist Church and Restoration Church. Each site will then deliver meals to those who have registered for home delivery.
Those that want to have a sitdown meal but don’t have a place to go will be directed to the Second Presbyterian Church Soup Kitchen on Magnolia Street from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
To schedule a Thanksgiving Day delivery you can call 1-888-777-7556 on Monday, November 23, Tuesday November 24 or Wednesday November 25 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
If you’d like to volunteer to help with the phones, preparing or delivering meals you are urged to call 582-7556.
If you want to make a donation you are asked to send a tax-deductible check, or money order, made payable to Spartanburg Christian Community Foundation, P.O. Box 2397, Spartanburg 29304 and please note it is for “Feed the Community.” You can also call 949-5800 for more information on donating to “Feed the Community.”
lruss@hometown-news.com
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