Civitan ‘Gobble Wobble’ Harvests a Healthy Service to the Community

As millions of Americans feast on turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving, others will not receive the blessing of a holiday meal and go hungry. In an effort to meet those various hunger needs locally, members of the North Bay Civitan Club of D’Iberville-St. Martin, alongside student volunteers from St. Martin High School’s Future Business Leaders of America, welcomes and thanked donors who brought non-perishables and crossed Biloxi Bay Bridge as a healthy way to give back to the community prior to Thanksgiving Day during the 5th Annual Gobble Wobble Food Drive & Bridge Run.

After completing the 3.52 mile round trip, participants were treated to water, lemonade, and even some hot cocoa, donated by The Grind & Nosh of north Biloxi, and top runner received trophies. Wil Daniels of Biloxi was ready for the bridge run after learning about it from Icy Pint Athletics member on Facebook. "I think what the Civitan Club has organized rocks and is the first step of helping feed others. I really enjoy running the bridge, so this was a great opportunity to support a great cause," mentions Daniels, who received Overall Adult Male Runner.

Rachelle Moody of Biloxi is a member of the Gulf Coast Running Club and received the Overall Adult Female Runner’s trophy. She and her husband, Gene, participated last year and returned for their second year. "My time wasn’t as fast as I would have liked, but this is more about the service opportunity than a competitive race," says Moody.

Other top running turkeys included Overall Youth Female Runner, Michelle Le of St. Martin High School, and Overall Youth Male Runner, Lance Otten of Ocean Springs.

Nearly 800 food items, from bags of sugar and pasta, to canned sweet potatoes and other non-perishables filled the bed of North Bay Civitan Club Treasurer, Debbie Wilson’s, truck. Wilson, along with her fellow club member and student volunteers from the F.B.L.A. at St. Martin’s High School, delivered and presented the items to staff the The Lord is My Help, a local food pantry and soup kitchen located on Desoto Street in downtown Ocean Springs.

"The response shown through the simple act of giving is most appreciated," says Barbara Ruddiman, manager of The Lord is My Help. "This is out busiest time of year, so we’re very grateful to have the North Bay Civitan Club provide this project for the benefit of our community’s hunger needs, especially among those who are elderly, disabled, and the homeless, who are unable to cook for themselves on a regular basis."

On Monday, 150 pre-selected individuals in need received prepared food baskets from the food pantry, which will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. "Donations and volunteers are welcomed year round," says Ruddiman. "[Our] slowest season hits during August and early September before heavy donations start arriving in time for the holidays."

For more information about the services of The Lord is My Help, visit www.facebook.com/thelordismyhelp, and for more photos from the project, like the North Bay Civitan Club’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/northbaycivitan.