Thanks to the generosity of the community, hundreds of bedridden and elderly citizens will again have the chance to enjoy a hot and fresh Thanksgiving meal this year.

Volunteers will come together next Thursday, Nov. 22, at 9 a.m., at the J.O. Smith building at the First United Methodist Church of Bainbridge, where they will assemble more than 300 meals to be delivered to Decatur County citizens that otherwise might not enjoy a Thanksgiving meal that day.

“Participating in the community Thanksgiving Day meal preparation is just one way we can express our thanks to God for all we have been provided with,” said Meredyth Earnest, a FUMC staff member who is helping organize the event.

The meal consists of turkey with gravy, dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans, pumpkin pie and bread. Some volunteers will assemble the meals, while others will deliver them straight to the citizens’ homes.

“We’ve been doing this for a while and we’ve got it working like a machine,” said Joe Livingston, whose family helps out with the meals each year. “There will be a little assembly line set up at the church, and every volunteer will know what they need to do.”

Earnest said many Bainbridge families start out their Thanksgiving each year by donating their time to help make the meal drive a success.

“A lot of people in town will come out and help in the morning, and then go home in the afternoon to enjoy their own Thanksgiving meal with their family,” she said.

Volunteers are welcome to bring their family and friends, including children, along to help prepare and deliver the meals. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to contact Earnest at FUMC by calling (229) 246-1864.