Local organizations look for donations ahead of Thanksgiving
Somerset County, Md. — Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and organizations across the Eastern Shore are collecting food donations to make sure every family is fed this holiday season.
The holiday is a time for communities to gather in celebration – but it can be an especially difficult time for those struggling to put food on the table. That’s why organizations around the country offer places for people to donate ahead of the holidays – including several locally.
The Maryland Food Bank described the need for assistance in a statement to WMDT.
“More than 1 in 3 people in Maryland are facing food insecurity. Every action taken means a nutritious meal or a more joyful holiday celebration. While food insecurity impacts neighbors year-round, support at the holidays can give these special days more cheer for families in our communities,” the organization wrote.
Brandy Dennis has run Maple Shade’s Thanksgiving food drive in Somerset County for the past four years. Dennis said it’s an important way for her to support the Somerset community.
“Everybody’s always appreciative because this is a trying time. It seems like around the holidays, the bills, the food, you’re tossing it up. So I try to give back and try to make sure everybody has a nice hot Thanksgiving meal every year,” Dennis said.
Dennis says that Maple Shade gets a few hundred turkeys donated from Perdue each year – but they’re looking for all the other dishes that make Thanksgiving so special. She added that she’ll be taking donations all the way up until the morning of the giveaway on Nov. 21.
In Marion Station – the Hohman Food Pantry is preparing for their 16th annual Thanksgiving giveaway on Nov. 20. LeBron Palmer, the lead pastor of Living Hope Fellowship – which runs the pantry – said the day of the giveaway sees cars lined up for at least a half mile.
Palmer said that they are working to address need within the community with the giveaway.
“We’re trying to reach 200 families, that are in this area so that they can have something to be thankful for on Thanksgiving. Give them the ability to have a traditional Thanksgiving,” Palmer said.
He added the giveaway is a chance to help their neighbors and be true to the church’s values.
“I don’t think there’s quite a way to describe the emotional feeling. Helping people, knowing that you’re making a difference in people’s lives and seeing other people come alongside you in that endeavor,” Palmer said. “In my opinion, it is what the Christian church should look like.”
