Thanksgiving is about giving thanks. The name of the holiday makes that obvious. But it is easy to skip over the “thanks” and the “giving” and head straight for the turkey and dressing.

Food is a big part of this holiday. Its roots are tied to a harvest feast early Americans celebrated after surviving a brutal, deadly winter the year before. So by all means, dig into the turkey and dressing. But don’t forget the most important pieces of this holiday.

We all have much to be thankful for. America is one of the richest countries in the world, and while there is plenty of poverty here there is also plenty of opportunity. Across the globe, the median annual household income is about $10,000. So, comparatively speaking, Americans are pretty well off.

For that we should be thankful.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t hunger here. Nationwide, about 14 percent of Americans live in poverty. What we define as poverty looks different around the world. There are millions of people worldwide who would love to live in American poverty.

In Lincoln County, about 20 percent of the population lives in poverty. There will be Lincoln Countians who do not sit down to a Thanksgiving feast this week. There will be parents who go without so their children can eat. There will be some who have no home and certainly do not have enough food.

It’s those people who need to experience the “giving” side of the holiday. There are several groups in Lincoln County working to make sure everyone has a good Thanksgiving meal and we encourage everyone to find a way to support these groups.

When you sit down to a spread fit for a king, be thankful and find a way to give to those who aren’t as fortunate.