For many, a Thanksgiving meal is taken for granted, but financial challenges or other issues mean sparse provisions for many people right here in Statesboro and Bulloch County.
A local effort, Feed the Boro, has helped make Thanksgiving a blessing for families and individuals in need for over 20 years, and volunteers and contributions are still needed to make it happen, said Feed the Boro Chair Kimberly Forstrom.
The group will provide a hearty holiday meal to more than 2,000 citizens and public safety workers who are missing a Thanksgiving meal due to work, and that number is growing, she said.
On Wednesday, Nov. 22, "We will begin deboning turkeys, plating deserts, taping up boxes and organizing the meal line," she said. "Volunteers will begin at noon on Wednesday and work throughout the day."
"On Thursday, volunteers will begin at 7 a.m. preparing the food lines and begin plating and distributing food. If you are in town, I encourage you to volunteer in some way. It is one of the most rewarding events I am involved in throughout the year"
New this year, citizens will be able to come to the Statesboro High School cafeteria and eat a Thanksgiving meal, instead of having it delivered to their home. Meals will be served at Statesboro High from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
For anyone unable to come to the school, meals will continue to be delivered to homes. To reserve a spot for your family to eat Thanksgiving lunch at SHS or have a meal delivered, call Christian Social Ministry at (912) 489-2407 or email feedtheboro@gmail.com by Friday. Include the number of people in your family and if you want to dine in or have food delivered. For deliveries, please include an address and a phone number.
Agencies, churches or other organizations who have members who need to be fed that have not been contacted by a Feed the Boro volunteer are urged to reach out also to make sure the group is on the list this year.
"In reviewing the past year, we discovered that even though people are thrilled to get a free Thanksgiving meal delivered to them, many of them are alone with no family and would enjoy being with others to celebrate this special holiday," Forstrom said. "This is why we are opening the SHS cafeteria this year. Also, we want to remind citizens that anyone is eligible for a free meal. We do not place any financial or other restrictions on this meal. If you need or want us to provide a Thanksgiving meal to you, a friend or family member, all you have to do is call."
You can help by volunteering at Statesboro High on Nov. 22 or 23. Go to the Feed the Boro page on Facebook @feedtheboro to sign up.
Another way the community can help is to sponsor a meal for an individual or a family. For a contribution of $10 you can sponsor five meals, $20 - 10 meals, $100 - 50 meals, etc. Mail your check written to: Feed the Boro, 701 Baytree Lane, Statesboro, Georgia 30458.
With the communities' help, Forstram is confident Feed the Boro will help provide another great Thanksgiving for the Statesboro and Bulloch County community, providing many citizens with a warm, fulfilling meal along with hope, love and fellowship.