Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends, a time for gathering together with loved ones around a table to enjoy the year’s bounty and to give thanks for life.

Not every family can afford a traditional Thanksgiving meal or even basic necessities, but it’s a common local saying that the community looks after its own.

One group looking after its own, the Darlene Slater Rehabilitation Center for Women, more commo nly known as the Doll’s House, spent their Saturday giving out over 200 Thanksgiving boxes to local residents.

The boxes contain everything needed to make a traditional Thanksgiving meal — turkey, stuffing, cake mixes and pie fillings.

Doll’s House co-founder Stephanie Turner described Doll’s House as a home for women in transition, and she believes the annual Thanksgiving giveaway is a chance for the women of Doll’s

House to give back to the community.

“It’s gone really well today,” she said. “They’re getting a change to see this year what it is to give back, and they are giving a lot.”

Doll’s House isn’t the only group helping out those in need this Thanks giving.

On Tuesday from 1-3 p.m. on 101 E. Court St., Outreach Ministries will be giving out necessities — including groceries, blankets and cleaning supplies — to the 125 residents who registered for the giveaway as part of Operation Thanksgiving.

It’s one of three events held through the ministry’s three busiest months. In October, they held Operation Blessing, and in December they will hold Operations Christmas.

Residents can only register for one giveaway, because the ministry wants to reach the broadest possible range of people.

“We do three separate large events and try to meet the needs of several hundred people in the community,” BOM Director Jerry Durr said. “We try to get help those that fall through the cracks.”

The First United Methodist Ministry Center will also be hosting the annual Doug Sullivan Community Thanksgiving lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving day. Deliveries are also available by calling 601-833-3519 or 601-695-0600 before Thursday so volunteers can load up Thanksgiving morning and head out to share some good will and turkey.

Organizers said the meal is for anyone, regardless of need, social status or income. It’s a time to fellowship and give thanks.

All of these groups and all of these events are reliant on the support of Brookhaven and Lincoln County residents, businesses and organizations. And when it’s needed, the community steps up. One place people still have a chance to give is Mission Mississippi’s Thanksgiving service held tonight at 6-7 p.m. at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church on 1869 Nola Road.

The service will be taking offerings, both in the form of money and nonperishable food items. The money will to to FUMC to help pay for their community Thanksgiving event, and the nonperishables will go to St. James Missionary Baptist Church to fill its community food pantry.

Outreach Ministries can be reached at 601-833- 1350. Doll’s House can be reached at 601-291-8757 or 601-519-3546. Both organizations are always looking for donations and support.

If you know of a church, individual or organization who is giving back during the holidays, please let us know. You can call us at 601-265-5304 or email us at news@dailyleader.com.