Reason for thanksgiving

MT. PLEASANT - For Henry County resident Christopher Macbeth, 2020 has been a true struggle. Between the pandemic and a seemingly endless job search, getting a helping hand from local nonprofits like the Fellowship Cup meant he didn't have to worry about Thanksgiving dinner.

Macbeth and his family was one of approximately 100 households the Fellowship Cup served at its annual holiday meal distribution on Tuesday.

'It means a lot, with COVID and everything. I've been looking for a job. I hopefully will have one soon. It's been really tough,” Macbeth said as he entered the Fellowship Cup, hair wet from waiting in the rain.

The Henry County resident added he's most excited to be able to spend time with his family this week.

'Family is important. My favorite part of Thanksgiving is the meal and spending time with family,” he added.

People waited patiently outside of the nonprofit during a downpour in the morning as two households entered the nonprofit at a time to pick up food. Upon entering the building, everybody had their temperatures taken, given a spritz of hand sanitizer and asked not to touch anything and to stay behind blue tape placed on the floor.

Jackie Brawner, a volunteer, said this year has been 'kind of different” as she served people in gloves and a mask.

'We're doing everything to keep everyone safe,” she said.

Brawner added she enjoys being able to serve people in need and chatting as they pick up their food.

'I enjoy the conversation the most … To know their family can have some of the same memories and experiences that we all can get, it's good,” she said.

Marsha Birdsell, another volunteer, said being able to bring a little goodness to other people's lives has been 'great,” especially after a tough year.

'Everybody is so bummed out because of this COVID and everything, and we can give them all this, and everybody is really happy today. It's cool,” she said.

Sharon Cumings, who picked up her Thanksgiving meal with her mother, was one person who was extremely grateful to receive the help.

'I'm definitely looking forward to Thanksgiving and family. My family is going to be at our meal,” she said.

Catherine Gross, another resident who picked up a meal for her family, said the distribution is 'a big help” to everybody.

'I'm going to have my children and my grandchildren with me,” she said of who the meal would feed.

Lucy Hummell, who has been volunteering with the Fellowship Cup for six years, said being able to uphold a giving tradition, even in difficult times has been 'heartwarming.”

'It's probably not something they would have normally. Being able to provide that for them is great,” she said.