As Thanksgiving approaches, Jefferson County churches and other organizations are prepared to offer food to people in need.
Neighbor to Neighbor serves hungry people at 1419 S. Pine St. in Pine Bluff. Its director Charlotte England welcomes people to Neighbor to Neighbor for a Thanksgiving meal from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24; and noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25. The office will be closed on Thanksgiving (Nov. 26) and Friday, Nov. 27.
“We welcome anyone,” England said. “No questions are asked and no identification is needed.”
Neighbor to Neighbor is open from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.
“There is always a great need. People are hungry all year, not just at the holidays,” England said. “We accept donations all year. We appreciate people thinking of others at the holidays. We do the same thing at Christmas. We are closed on Christmas Day.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Many other organizations will also be providing food at Thanksgiving, according to information provided to the newspaper.
New Community Baptist Church, 321 N. Birch St., will give away Thanksgiving food baskets, clothes and toys at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20, in the fellowship hall. Items will be given away as long as supplies last. To obtain food, participants must bring a bag to carry food in and supply proof of residence. Proof of income is requested to receive clothes and toys.
The Food Pantry Ministry of Newbirth Baptist Church, 401 E. Fifth Ave., will sponsor its annual Thanksgiving food giveaway at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Food will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Proof of income and identification will not be required.
The Greater Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church food pantry will be distributing food boxes from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at 3700 W. Sixth Ave. Participants should bring a picture ID, proof of residence and proof of income.
The Wabbaseka Church of Christ, 103 S. Myrtle St. in Wabbaseka, will offer a Thanksgiving dinner from from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at the church. People may call 870-766-4194 for details.
St. Mark United Methodist Church, 4229 W. Sixth Ave., will host a Thanksgiving dinner giveaway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21.
The Salvation Army, 501 E. 12th Ave., will host its Community Thanksgiving Dinner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. The Salvation Army is seeking volunteers to assist with serving the meal. The dinner, planned as a come-and-go event, with music provided, will be supported by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and area businesses. Organizations, families or individuals are welcome to assist in serving this meal as well as helping with the set up and cleanup of this event. For details, people may call the Salvation Army at 534-0504.
The Church of God will be serving a free Thanksgiving meal for the community from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at 7111 Shannon Road. To RSVP and details, people may call Tasha Terry at 501-580-5211 or message on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TCOGPineBluffAR
First Pentecostal Church and Women On Front Line will offer a free Thanksgiving dinner from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 1308 Holly St. For delivery or more information, people may call 870-329-7357 and 870-926-1584.
Greater Faith Ministries Church will distribute food from 1 p.m. until the food is gone on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 992 E. Front St. in Altheimer.
The Pine Bluff Harbor City Corvette Club is sponsoring a canned food giveaway at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 408 E. Harding Ave. For details, people may call Donnell Richard at 489-6107.
The Young Adult Food Ministry of Bethel Independent Baptist Church, 3000 S. Hazel St., will give away Thanksgiving supplemental food bags from noon until the food is gone on Wednesday, Nov. 25. No identification is required.
For even more events, see the calendar on page 3B.