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The West Point community, a church in Lanett and one in Valley each hosted a Thanksgiving Day meal program on Thursday. Each distribution involved a lot of people coming together in the common cause of spreading the joy of Thanksgiving and a belief that no one should go hungry on this special day.

Mayor Steve Tramell headed up the boxed dinner program in West Point. The plates were given out underneath a tent provided by Jackson Heating & Air in LaGrange. Serving took place from 10:30 a.m. until noon EST near the intersection of East 10th Street and MLK Avenue.

Thursday marked the eighth straight year this free Thanksgiving meal program has taken place in West Point.

Sponsors included the Chattahoochee Fuller Center, Chick DeLite, the Bobers, Jackson Services, M.W. Lee Mortuary, Capital City Bank, Pokey’s, Johnny’s Pizza, the Gladdens and Roger’s BBQ. The theme for the day is from First Chronicles 16:34 – “Give thanks to the Lord. He is good. His love endures forever.”

A total of 140 plates were given out in West Point.

Similar numbers of plates were distributed from Plant City Baptist Church in Lanett and Fairview Baptist in Valley. Both churches have been doing this for more than 20 years now.

At all three locations, the boxed dinner included the classic Thanksgiving Day dinners of turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, green beans, sweet potato souffle. creamed potatoes and a slice of pound cake.

Courtney Sanders headed up the free dinner program at Plant City Baptist. The church pastor, Rev. Randall Hamer, and more than two dozen volunteers from the church worked together to get it done. Most of the cooking was done at home and brought to the church to be delivered to those who had signed up to get a meal.

“We started planning for this every year in October,” Sanders said. “It takes the work of a lot of people to get it done, but it’s something we are always glad to do.”

Members of the church also did something spectacular for the Samaritan’s Purse program. They filled a total of 1,050 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. This is a program that’s headed up locally by Susan Otto.

The family life center at Fairview Baptist, located on River Road in Valley, was a very busy place Thursday morning. Women from the church did most of the cooking, and everyone from the church took part in putting the plates together and delivering more than 130 dinner boxes. Rev. Carl Benedict and church members organized a most efficient assembly line and delivery process.

“It’s a blessing,” church member Ruthie Davis said. “I’m thankful for everyone that had a part in this, whether it be through a donation, help in preparing the food, delivering it or praying for it all to work out right. We couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help. All of you are much appreciated.”