This Thanksgiving, the Vicksburg community is coming together to feed those in need of a helping hand.

For the third year, Emmarie Flaggs is organizing Granny’s Kitchen, a Thanksgiving meal for people in need.

The meal will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, at the St. Mary Gym, 1512 Main St.

Flaggs started the project because it was something she saw her grandmother do for those around her.

“As a child, my grandmother, every Thanksgiving, would feed all the less fortunate in her surrounding area,” she said.

As an adult, Flaggs wanted to bring the same spirit of giving to her community and started volunteering at a shelter, which ultimately jumpstarted the idea of a large family meal.

“The city came through, and they supported me,” she said. “We had an awesome time the first year, but the second year stunned me.”

Last year, Flaggs and her group of volunteers were able to feed the all of the local shelters, senior citizens, Meals on Wheels participants, sheriff’s deputies, police officers, emergency room staff, EMTs and firefighters on duty.

“We fed all these people to show them our appreciation,” Flaggs said. She wants to feed all those agencies again this year plus the 911 dispatchers.

The meals are predominantly provided for people in need, from local shelters and poverty-stricken areas.

“It’s not just a come and eat. It’s for those who are less fortunate,” she said.

Churches, organizations, clubs, schools and community members have all committed to donating food for the meal. The menu Flaggs is collecting consists of tea, lemonade, desserts, breads, vegetables, meats, casseroles, dressing, cranberry sauce, potato salad, macaroni, rice, gravy, potatoes, candied yams, spaghetti, lasagna and other provided dishes.

“Goldie’s Express provides the best smoked turkey,” Flaggs said, adding T’beaux’s Blues Le Roux and the United Way of West Central Mississippi support the event too.

Other necessities for the project are servers, food warmers, serving utensils, cups, napkins, paper towels, paper plates, bowls, eating utensils, covered/to-go plates and any other useful items.

She said everyone is welcome to join in and volunteer with the event this year.

“Anybody that wants to volunteer their time, I just ask that they be compassionate about what it is at hand that we’re doing and that’s making these people feel like a million dollars on this day so they don’t have to worry about whatever it is they are going through. They can enjoy a great home cooked meal and a family oriented environment,” Flaggs said.

Local law enforcement agencies also help with the project by delivering meals to older citizens who can’t get out in the evenings.

“I could not to this without people like Martin Pace and Chief Armstrong who have officers go out and make sure people get their food,” Flaggs said.

The amount of food donated will determine the amount of people who will be fed.

“Last year I expected to shoot for 200 or 300 and it ended up being closer to 400 or 500,” Flaggs said. “It’s all in God’s hands. When they get there we just try to make it happen.”

Donations need to be delivered to the gym between 3:30 and 6 p.m. Wednesday night. To volunteer, donate or to make a suggestion for a person in need of a delivery, email emmarie.f.anderson@gmail.com.