PAHOKEE -- Going through this COVID-19 pandemic afforded me the opportunity to sit back and reflect on giving back to others.

The idea to give Thanksgiving baskets to needy families came to me as I sat on the fish creek with my husband having a conversation about wasteful spending eating out at fast food restaurants. During that conversation I decided to start saving the money I spend weekly eating out to buy items to have a complete meal during Thanksgiving for five families in need.

I shared the idea with my family and a few friends and they all were on board and wanted to help donate for the cause. So with their help I was able to put together a meal that consisted of ham, yams, collard greens, rice, cornbread and a sweet potato pie for these families.

As we decorated and put the boxes together we decided to give them the title of Thanksgiving Blessings because we were blessed enough to help others receive this dinner blessing to their family.

As we delivered the Thanksgiving Blessings to the selected families, we were greeted with such warmth and appreciation. It touched our hearts to be able to do this and when one of the mothers stated that she called around for help and asked the school if they could help with food for Thanksgiving and was not able to find any help. She said she prayed for help and the next morning she got a call from the school telling her that we had a Thanksgiving basket for her and her family. To hear those words and see her appreciation was something I feel words can’t explain, seeing how God worked in her favor through us.

This entire experience reminded me of Acts 4:32-37 and the importance of the spirit, of a healthy reciprocity, of those who have resources to give and share doing so with those who are in need.

I would like to thank all of those that helped me (Barbara Johnson) with this project starting with the principal of Pahokee Middle High School Mr. Dwayne Dennard, Ms. Machele Martin, Ms. Natasha Twiggs, and Ms. Iolanthe Brown.