Deadline to request meals for Feed the Needy is December 14th

With Christmas just 18 days away, Harrison County’s Feed the Needy program is gearing up for its last meal distribution of the holiday season.

- with christmas just 18 days - away, harrison county's feed- the needy program is gearing up- for its last meal - distribution of the holiday - season.

- news 25's grace boyles checks i- with the program ahead- of the deadline to request meal- for the holiday.- - 31 years and still going- strong... - harrison county's annual holida- meal distribution - program, feed the needy, has- faced some unprecendented - challenges trying to get food t- those in need.- however, even covid-19 isn't- stopping the spirit of giving - this holiday season.- sgt.

Joey payne, biloxi police- department: "each one of our directors at- each one of our agencies said n- we're having a program.

Figure- out a - way."

1,000 meals were already served- at thanksgiving and a thousand- more will be served for - christmas.

This year, every - agency picks up their meals fro- the harrison county work- center where the food is- prepared and will take the- meals back to their own - departments to then be- distributed to their respective- communities.- despite the changes, officer- connie hall with the pass - christian police department - still believes in the importanc- of- the feed the needy program.

- officer connnie hall, - communications supervisor at pa- christian police- department: "customer service t the community is-- is key.

You- have to take- care of the people who take car- of you.

I think that's the most- important part."

For sergeant joey payne, it - wouldn't be the holiday season- without feed the needy.

The now- president of the program has- been helping feed his community- since he was 9-years- - old when payne would help his - dad out at the gulfport police- department when the program - first began.- sgt.

Joey payne, biloxi police- department: "it just grew and i've always - been a part of it.

I enjoy doin- this.

This year when they asked- for someone to- become the new president, i - volunteered."

The deadline to request a - christmas meal is monday, - december 14th by 9 a-m.

Those - who are in need of a meal shoul- contact their local public- safety agency to get on the - list.

- officer hall encourages those - who need help, not to - hesitate to ask for it.

- officer connnie hall, - communications supervisor at pa- christian police- department: "because at first they seem a little hesitant, bu- once you talk to them and - realize it's a relaxed- conversation, then they sort of- get more christmas spirit going- - and more holiday spirit.

And- it's nicer when you get to talk- to them."

To donate food, you can contact- - the biloxi police department- community relations department- at 228-385-3033.

Due- to covid-19, volunteering is- - - - limited, however, those who wan- to help with meal delivery are- asked to contact their- local police department.- in harrison county, grace - boyles, news