Giving back on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks, but for a lot of South Mississippians it’s also a time to give back.

The turkey is already boiling at Feed my Sheep in Gulfport in preparation for next week. The annual Thanksgiving feast takes place Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and everyone is welcome. Feed my Sheep will be closed Thanksgiving Day and the day after. Feed my Sheep Director Randy Brownlee said, “Our whole mission is to feed people. We feed the homeless people, the needy people, and anyone that wants to come in and eat a good meal.”

Feed my Sheep has a large amount of volunteers during this time of the year and Thanksgiving is always special. “Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. So, we are just thankful that our organization is able and so blessed to be able to provide food for the hungry and needy people in our community,” said Brownlee.

Feed my Sheep volunteer Merale Johnson said, “You’d be surprised. There are a lot of people that are appreciative and they thank us for the good, hot meal and stuff like that and just for a chance to socialize and talk.”

Feed my Sheep is not looking for volunteers, but they say food donations are always welcome, especially Thanksgiving items. They are expecting hundreds of people to feed. “Everybody that’s homeless don’t choose to be like that. If you sit there and listen to some of the stories, some people have lost jobs, homes, families, and stuff like that.”

Over in Biloxi, Gulf Coast Rescue Mission will be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner starting at noon on Thanksgiving Day. If you want to volunteer, show up at 11 a.m. that day.