For many, a Thanksgiving meal is taken for granted, but financial challenges or other issues may mean sparse provisions for our friends and neighbors in the Statesboro, Bulloch and surrounding counties.
A local effort, Feed the Boro (FTB), has helped make Thanksgiving a blessing for families and individuals in need for over 20 years. Volunteers and contributions are still needed to make FTB a success again this year according to FTB Chair Don Poe.
Feed the Boro will bring together over 500 volunteers who will prepare and deliver a traditional Thanksgiving meal to nearly 3,000 citizens in addition to public safety workers in Bulloch, Evans and Candler Counties who are missing a Thanksgiving meal due to work and that number is growing, he said.
“On Wednesday, November 21st, volunteers will begin deboning turkeys, plating desserts, taping up boxes and organizing the meal line. Volunteers will begin at 12:30 on Wednesday and work throughout the day”, said Poe. “On Thursday, Volunteers will begin at 7 AM preparing the food lines and begin plating at 8 am and distributing food at 10am. If you are in town, I encourage you to volunteer in some way. It is one of the most rewarding events I am involved in throughout the year.”
Again, this year, citizens will be able to come to SHS Cafeteria and eat a Thanksgiving meal, instead of having them delivered to their home. This creates a “sense of community” for some that may be home alone. Meals will be served at SHS from 10:00am until 12 noon.
If you do not want to come to the school, meals will continue to be delivered to your home. To reserve a spot for your family to eat Thanksgiving lunch at SHS or to have a meals delivered please call Christian Social Ministry at 912-489-2407 or email feedtheboro@gmail.com by November 16th. Include the number of people in your family and if you want to dine in or have food delivered. For deliveries, please include an address, a cell and home phone number.
Agencies, churches or other organizations who have members who need to be fed that have not been contacted by a FTB volunteer can reach out also to make sure we have their group on the list this year.
“Even though people are thrilled to get a free Thanksgiving meal delivered to them, many of citizens are alone with no family and would enjoy being with others to celebrate this special holiday”, said Poe. “This is why we are opening the SHS cafeteria this year for citizens to din
e in with others. Also, we want to remind citizens that anyone is eligible for a free meal. We do not place any financial or other restrictions on this meal. If you need or want us to provide a Thanksgiving meal to you, a friend or family member, all you have to do is call.”
Volunteer
If you would like to help by volunteering at SHS on Friday, November 16th or by delivering meals on Thanksgiving you can sign up here.
Support FTB by Giving
Another way the community can help is to sponsor a meal for an individual or a family. For a contribution of $15 you can sponsor six meals. $25 – 10 meals, $100 – 40 meals, etc. It costs only $2.50 per meal to feed our community a hot meal on Thanksgiving.
We are in need of funding! Donations checks can be written to Feed the Boro, 701 Baytree Lane, Statesboro, Georgia 30458. You can give through the FTB Paypal here or mail your check written to: Feed the Boro, 701 Baytree Lane, Statesboro, Georgia 30458.
Thank you Bi-Lo and All Sponsors
“We want to especially thank Bi-Lo for stepping up this year as our Presenting Sponsor. Last year they donated over 200 turkeys for FTB”, said Don Poe, FTB Chair. “This year they have increased their commitment to the event. Local Bi-Lo Manager Tod Marsh and his staff have been very engaged in the planning for this year’s event. Platinum level sponsors include D&R Intensive Car Care, Homestar Financial, Statesboro First United Methodist Church and Davis Marketing. Without the Presenting, Platinum sponsors and all of our corporate and individual sponsors this would not be possible.”
With your help, this will be another great Thanksgiving for our community, providing many of our citizens with a warm, fulfilling meal but more importantly, hope, love and fellowship.
Here is a Google Album with images from the 2017 Feed The Boro.