November 14, 2007
Albany -- The holidays often bring out the best in people. Clothes and food drives are common this time of year. Now, thanks to some loving neighbors, 70 Albany families will now be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal they may not otherwise have.
They started lining up before the doors even opened at nine this morning, anticipating the only yearly feast many of them ever have the opportunity to enjoy.
"That's a blessing because lots of people are unfortunate and not able to buy, so it's a blessing from the Lord that they get to come and get it," said Deborah Nelson, who says without the help of Love Thy Neighbor, a ministry of Methodist Churches in Albany, she wouldn't be able to share a Thanksgiving meal with her family.
"My mother is 80 years old," said Nelson. "I'm going to take it to her and let her dress it how she wants to dress it. I'll have a blessed Thanksgiving."
In all, 70 hams and turkeys, as well as the trimmings were passed out to families served by the ministry, which regularly provides food and clothing to those in need.
"There's a lot of needy people in Albany," said volunteer Art Shoemaker. "We have about 450 clients every month with food and clothing."
This is the 4th year Love Thy Neighbor gave away Thanksgiving turkeys and hams.
Cynthia Stephens hopes it isn't the last. "Well, to me, it's a blessing. It's a good thing they're doing."
And she and her family will have a good meal on Thanksgiving Day, a day they'll continue to give thanks to those at Love Thy Neighbor. "It's a blessing, blessing for all of us."
The Food Bank of Southwest Georgia provided the turkeys and hams. Only people with children qualified for the free Thanksgiving meal. Love Thy Neighbor provides food once a month for families in need and up to 30 pieces of clothing. They are located on Walnut Street in Albany.
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