There are numerous organizations that will be using the Thanksgiving holiday to give back to the community. The events serve as a great way to kick off pre-Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day with an emphasis on community service and working side by side with one’s neighbors. Find out which events will be happening near your locality below:

ALL ABOARD FOR GIVING

The annual Thanksgiving event held by Virginia Smoove Rydaz MC/ SC will be distributing everything one needs for a hot and homemade meal free of charge Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Farmville Train Station at 510 W. Third St.

Organizer Donald Hunter said the meal will include ham, turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, rolls, yams and bottled water to drink.

Hunter said the organization will seek volunteers, particularly those who can deliver meals to the homes of those sick or shut-in. To learn more, call (434) 390-7232.

FEEDING FARMVILLE AND BEYOND

On Wednesday and Thursday, Feeding Farmville, a project in its third year, is seeking to deliver more than 750 ready and delicious Thanksgiving meals to those who need it most.

The packaging of the meals begin Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 1301 Milnwood Road. The event has the support of more than 40 organizations.

The meals are set to include turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberries, green beans, mashed potatoes, a roll and pumpkin pie.

Shirley Sorenson with the project said volunteers can help repackage the food on both Wednesday and Thursday.

On Thursday at 4 a.m., cooks come to prepare the turkey, and packaging resumes at 6:30 a.m., with drivers and a companion ready to deliver at 9:30 a.m. While food order requests are no longer being taken, the organization is looking for food donations and volunteers. The aim of Feeding Farmville is to serve a hot meal within 30 miles of Farmville on Thanksgiving Day. Sorenson said there are approximately 150 people who will be picking up meals at the church.

To learn more about donating or volunteering, call St. John’s Lutheran Church (434) 392-1875 or email secretary@stjohnsfarmville.org. Documentation from the organization asks that people provide their names, telephone numbers and reasons for calling if leaving a message.