GAINESVILLE - The Thanksgiving holiday is a day of gratitude, and most spend the day preparing and then eating a meal with family or friends. But for some North Georgians, it's another day to go hungry, or another day spent alone. That's why the Georgia Mountain Food Bank decided to partner with area churches and community members to put on the first Day of Gratitude: Community Thanksgiving Meal.
"The Hall County Day of Gratitude was the idea of the Georgia Mountain Food Bank and a group of area churches," said Food Bank Board Member Kelly Robertson. "We got together this summer at the food bank and decided, how wonderful would it be to have a community Thanksgiving meal, designed not only to feed those who need to eat on Thanksgiving, but also an intentional gathering together and getting to know each other, and getting to talk to people you might otherwise not get to know and just remember all of our many blessings together."
Robertson said they didn't just want to fill bellies, but also to fill hearts.
"Obviously, we want to target those who need a meal, but those who are alone on Thanksgiving or may not have family close by, who want to come join with us," Robertson said. "The volunteers will be eating, so it is open."
Robertson is also a member of First Baptist Church in Gainesville, which is where the free meal will be held in the Banquet Hall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday.
Robertson said while they have a good number of volunteers, they could always use more. Robertson said those interested should contact Janet Early with First Baptist to sign up to help with the meal. "There are volunteer opportunities as servers, also, we're asking people to serve as table hosts. Someone who will be part of the meal, sit down and eat and be intentional about getting to know the folks around them."
Some of the churches involved include First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Grace Episcopal, St. John Baptist Church and St. Paul United Methodist Church. Robertson said groups from other churches and organizations in the area are also helping out.
The Community Meal is one of several free meals open to those in need this Thanksgiving. Good News at Noon is offering a meal at their ministry on Davis Street on Thursday and Project J.O.Y. is also preparing a meal.
