Thanksgiving dinner will look different for many Mississippians this year because of the pandemic, and so does the way various organizations have given back to their communities.
WCBI's reporter Stephen Pimpo talked with several of them today and joins us in studio with the story.
Thanksgiving dinner will look different for many mississippians this year because of the pandemic.
And so does the way various organizations have given back to their communities.
Wcbi reporter stephen pimpo talked with several of them today and joins us in studio with the story.
With covid-19 making traditional thanksgiving outreach meals unsafe, local organizations are adapting.
And while being safe may mean doing a little less...they know that giving what they can...still goes a long way.
"we may not be able to do everything we wanted to do but we can do something."
This thanksgiving, two things that haven't changed in the golden triangle.
The severity of the covid-19 pandemic and the needs of the less fortunate.
"certainly this year it's accentuated by covid and people have been under more financial pressure than they have in the past."
So local outreach groups have had to change the way they are giving back this holiday season.
The bridge church in columbus will hold a meal giveaway on thanksgiving day.
To spread out the number of people gathered over a period of time, they are having recipients sign up for specific time slots on their website before hand.
"we'll have different stations here throughout the church where the food will be stationed, will be prepped and then will be brought up to where it can actually be delivered to the individual."
Columbus city councilman pierre beard held his annual meal giveaway at the boys and girls club on tuesday and also switched to a drive-through set up with volunteers in masks and gloves who underwent temperature checks.
"with covid-19 going on, the numbers are rising and we are being extra safe and it's just to let people know that we still giveaway at the boys and girls club on tuesday and also switched to a drive-through set up with volunteers in masks and gloves who underwent temperature checks.
"with covid-19 going on, the numbers are rising and we are being extra safe and it's just to let people know that we still care about them through a pandemic."
Peter's rock temple church in starkville also held their annual turkey givaway tuesday and switched to a drive through system without the traditional worship service they hold for recipients.
"people were here at 7 o'clock this morning.
The line went beyond the red light up the highway."
The church says they gave away more than 150 turkeys in close to half an hour.
"it just wasn't the normal people who needed it.
It was people who had lost their jobs.
It was people who could not get with their families."
Councilman beard says they gave away close to 300 meals within the first hour and says he won't let anything stop him from safely holding this event every year.
"that's what we're here for is to adapt and to still be of service to our communities."
For information on signing up for the thanksgiving day meal giveaways at the bridge, you can go to our website at wcbi.com.
They'll also be offering contactless delivery for those unable to leave their homes in the columbus area.
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