Community meals, food giveaways and volunteer opportunities offer ways for Jefferson County residents to give and receive this holiday season
Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Opportunities to join in on community-wide Thanksgiving events abound this year. There's a food drive, a worship service, a turkey give-away, a breakfast and three feasts. Read on!
Thanksgiving Food Drive, now through Nov. 15
The Jefferson County K-12 Community Partnership School team is hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive to help families across the community enjoy a full table this holiday season. To help with this effort, drop off items from the list below through Sunday, Nov. 15, to the school, located at 50 David Rd. Items needed include the following: stuffing mix, canned vegetables, instant potatoes, cranberry sauce, turkey, apple pie, and more. Volunteers also are needed to help sort and distribute the food 9 a.m.-4 p.m. during Nov. 17-19.
“Every can, box, and pie makes a difference. Let’s come together as a community and make sure no one goes without this Thanksgiving,” says Tosca Williams, the director of Community Partnership Schools at Jefferson K-12. “A special thank you to our partners: Children’s Home Society of Florida, FAMU, Florida Department of Health in Jefferson County, Florida State University and North Florida College.”
Teen Center Thanksgiving Feast, Nov. 15
A free Thanksgiving Feast for the entire community starts at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Teen Center, located at 555 Tiger Ln. Along with the delicious food, there will be music, games and activities sponsored by the Our Kids Our Legacy Foundation.
Food Pantry Turkey Giveaway, Nov. 20
The Christ Episcopal Church Food Pantry at 425 N. Cherry St. opens at 7:15 a.m. and distributes until the food is gone. This month's distribution includes Thanksgiving turkeys!
Thanksgiving Worship Service, Nov. 22
An interdenominational Thanksgiving worship service takes place on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 6 p.m. at the First Methodist Church Family Ministry Center, located at 390 W. Walnut St. The program includes music, prayer and a Thanksgiving message, sponsored by the Jefferson County Ministerial Association.
Thanksgiving Free Breakfast, Nov. 26
Milly's Ann Catering Service is putting on its 9th Annual Thanksgiving Free Breakfast 8-10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26, at 760 E. Washington St. It's a way of giving thanks for their customers and all who have enjoyed their catering at events where “good food brings people together.”
Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Nov. 26
On Thanksgiving Day, the annual free Community Thanksgiving Dinner takes place on Thursday, Nov. 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Methodist Church Family Ministry Center, located at 390 W. Walnut St. Take-out begins at 11 a.m. Eat-in begins at 11:30 a.m. To order call 850-997-5545. Deliveries also are available.
Thanksgiving Season Dinner, Nov. 28
The Jefferson County High School Class of 1971 invites the entire community (all ages) to a special Thanksgiving season dinner on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Jefferson County Recreation Park, located at 1380 Mamie Scott Dr. This celebrates the class's 55-year legacy of friendship, community pride and the enduring spirit of the Jefferson County Tigers.