Put the giving in Thanksgiving

Barbara Shelby (left), Rejeania Givens (center) and Gabbie Hodgkiss prepare for the annual Sikeston Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner Tuesday morning. The free meals will be served as carryout only on Thanksgiving Day. The free meals can be picked up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the VFW Hall in Sikeston on Thursday. All individuals entering the building must wear a mask, which will not be provided. (David Jenkins/Standard Democrat)

Thanksgiving celebrations will likely look a little different for most of us this year.

Family gatherings may be smaller, or they may not even be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, one definite bright spot this Thanksgiving is the annual Sikeston Community Thanksgiving Dinner.

Yes, COVID-19 changed this annual tradition, too, but it’s still being offered with some modifications.

In Sikeston, Marlene Stevens and Gabbie Hodgkiss, longtime volunteers with the Sikeston Community Thanksgiving Dinner, will oversee a carryout-only meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving Day at the Sikeston VFW Hall. The meals are free and geared to the elderly population; however, Marlene says the meals are for anyone in need. Those who pick up meals must wear a face mask upon entering the VFW Hall.

There will not be a dine-in option this year, and no official meal deliveries are being offered. However, this may be your chance to do an act of kindness this year.

Plan to pick up a meal for that homebound neighbor or your grandparents you can’t celebrate with in person this year, but you can certainly leave a hot meal on their doorstep — contact-free.

If the family down the street has been hit with COVID, a hot Thanksgiving meal may be just what they need. Pick up a meal and deliver it to their doorstep.

Or if you know some elderly church members who could use a hot meal on Thanksgiving, and you are able to pick up and deliver a meal to them, Thursday would be the perfect opportunity.

If you miss or can’t make the time period for the Thanksgiving meal in Sikeston, several restaurants are usually open on Thanksgiving. Support local businesses and pick up meals to deliver to loved ones, friends or neighbors. Or if you are making your own Thanksgiving meal and have some leftovers, take them to someone you know would appreciate a meal.

Not only will you help feed someone in need, but your act of kindness will also feed your soul and make you feel good — and that’s certainly something to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.

—Standard Democrat