Giving on Thanksgiving

By Julie Gomez

This Thanksgiving, instead of eating your weight in turkey, why not do something for those less fortunate?

Photo courtesy of Sodexo USA.

Photo courtesy of Sodexo USA.

Volunteering can be a great way to give back to the community, said Kayley Taing, a general science studies major at Texas Tech. Throughout high school and college, she has volunteered with organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Safe Place and Recycle Day.

“It has not only helped me interact with people, but it also helps me on a personal level to get to know them and help them in a way that makes me feel good about myself,” Taing said.

Organizations offering free Thanksgiving meals in Lubbock include The Bridge of Lubbock, First United Methodist Church and The Salvation Army, among others.

Operation Turkey, whose motto is “Everyone deserves a hot meal on Thanksgiving,” is also holding its annual volunteer events in Lubbock today and tomorrow.

Volunteering can definitely make you feel great, but knowing how much it means to the people receiving the help could encourage you to volunteer more often — during and beyond the holiday season.

The South Plains Homeless Consortium reports there were 351 homeless people, including 73 children, in the Lubbock area as of January.  This is a decrease from 2014, when the consortium reported there were 508 homeless people in the area.

The Hope Community of Shalom is one nonprofit organization that offers hunger relief every Sunday to about 100 people through a partnership with the South Plains Food Bank. Between 15 and 20 volunteers work every Sunday, said administrative assistant Judith Price.

Volunteering jobs can include more than serving food. Help may be needed from checking whether there is enough food to accommodate arriving people to helping clean up the mess after everyone has been served.

Jennifer Morton, an administrative assistant for Lubbock Meals on Wheels, said this is another “wonderful organization” doing “wonderful work.” Although it will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, the volunteers will be delivering meals to make up for the days off.

“Meals on Wheels was such a great opportunity to provide for the elderly,” Taing said. “They weren’t able to get food for themselves and it was such a rewarding experience.”

So if you are free this holiday season, remember: charity organizations would appreciate any help you can provide.

About JOUR 3312