Local groups gear up to feed community for Thanksgiving
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - This Thanksgiving, community organizations are getting ready to feed more people than ever.
It takes a lot of work to pull off a Thanksgiving meal of this size.
One community organization says after nearly 20 years of serving the community, this will be their last event.
It’s the season of giving and the season of impact.
“Volunteers come to make an impact on the homeless and the poor, and the homeless and the poor make a greater impact on the volunteers,” said CEO of The Bridge Ministry, Roger Gardner.
As they prepare to help families in need this weekend, leaders with the Bridge Ministry say they’re happy to be ending their time as a nonprofit the same way they started it.
“Serving a hot meal, ministering the gospel, supplying everything that we could to make the homeless community feel loved and more comfortable,’ said Gardner.
The same energy is being felt across the CSRA as multiple organizations prepare to give back next week.
“Down here, it’s a lot of preparation that goes into it. We do at least between 40 to 60 turkeys because that day we usually do between 300 to 400 trays,’ said Master’s Table Soup Kitchen Manager, LaDonna Dolman.
Golden Harvest, Feast in the Streets, Heart to Heart Prescription Assistance Program, and local churches are all hosting dinners before or on the holiday.
“We will see our numbers go up because the kids will be out and on Thanksgiving Day because we always serve a Thanksgiving meal. Our numbers are always between 300 and 400,” said Dolman.
They’re all encouraging people to come out.
Gardner said: “Please come and join us on our last Saturday. We’re going to have a great celebration.”
Events
The Boondock Farms in Jackson will host its Fall Festival and Vendor Fair with lots of local goods.
- Nov. 18 - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Heart to Heart Prescription Assistance Foundation and Special Events by Shelia, LLC. will host a Thanksgiving Day dinner and Community event. Care packages will be given out to include clothing, toiletries and more. The event will be held at 1647 Gordon Highway. To learn more go to the foundation’s website.
- Nov. 23 - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Giveaways, feasts
Commissioner Francine Scott will host her annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway event. A limited number of free turkeys will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to families and individuals in need. Commissioner Scott understands the importance of a traditional Thanksgiving meal and wants to ensure that as many of our community members as possible can enjoy this holiday. The event will be at Sand Hill Community Center Located at 2540 Wheeler Road.
- Nov. 18 - 10 a.m.
The Augusta Dream Center will host a Thanksgiving Meal and Turkey Giveaway event providing meals to take home, first come first serve. you can also sit and share a meal together immediately following the giveaway.
- Nov. 19 - 5 to 6 p.m.
The Augusta and Beech Island Churches of Christ will host the 18th annual Thanksgiving Feed the Hungry at the Julian Smith Casino at Lake Olmstead on Broad Street.
- Nov. 20 - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
T.W. Josey Class of ‘94 is hosting its 13th annual Feed the Community Event at the cafeteria. The event is free to the public.
- Nov. 21 - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Four Mile Missionary Baptist Church will host a drive-through Thanksgiving Feast at the New Ellenton community Center located at 212 Pine Hill Avenue. Free prepared plates will be delivered to the vehicle.
- Nov. 21 - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thanksgiving dinner at Fort Gordon’s Eisenhower Conference Center will have will be turkey, ham, and all the fixings. It will be $30 for adults, $15 for kids, and free for kids 3 and under. To make a reservation, go to the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s website.
- Nov. 23 -1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The Salvation Army of Augusta is pleased to extend a warm invitation to the media and the entire community for a Thanksgiving dinner at the Center of Hope on Nov. 23. The holiday meal will begin with serving shelter clients, ensuring that those in need have a special Thanksgiving meal. At 5:30 pm, doors will open to anyone in the community who wishes to share in the spirit of Thanksgiving with a delicious dinner. The Thanksgiving dinner will be generously provided by TBONZ.
- Nov. 23 - 5:30 p.m.
The Return of Feast in the Streets will be feeding the homeless on Thanksgiving Day and providing dinner along with toiletry items to those in need. The feast will be at the Corner of Monument Street and Broad Street at Cafe 209.
- Nov. 23 - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Donate, volunteer
The Richmond County Marshal’s Office will hold its 5th annual Turkey Drive to celebrate Thanksgiving. The men and women in the agency will hand-deliver full Thanksgiving dinners to families in the Augusta Richmond County area. Working in partnership with the Richmond County School Systems, we have identified families who are in need of assistance during the holiday season. You can drop off frozen turkey or canned good in the lobby of the municipal building at 535 Telfair Street, for more details call 706-821-2368
- Until Nov. 17
You can volunteer or donate to the Augusta Dream Center’s Thanksgiving Meal and Turkey Giveaway event. If you’re interested, head to the website.
- Nov. 19
If you would like to donate or volunteer for T.W. Josey Class of ‘94 is hosting its 13th annual Feed the Community Event call 706-513-9714.
- Nov. 21
The Heart to Heart Prescription Assistance Foundation and Special Events by Shelia, LLC. will host a Thanksgiving Day dinner and Community event, to donate or volunteer go to the foundation’s website.
- Nov. 23
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