COVID presented unusual challenges with the Clarksdale Care Station’s annual Thanksgiving Day meal, but adjustments were made and 800 plates were distributed to members of the community Thursday.
In the past, everything took place at the Care Station building on John Lee Hooker Lane. This year, to enable everyone to social distance, meals were packed at the Coahoma County Expo Center on Wildcat Drive. Those who picked up their meals were able to go to the Care Station after all the plates were packed.
Close to 700 were delivered and 100 were picked up.
“This will be the traditional Thanksgiving meal that we served in past years,” said Care Station volunteer Rod Spinks. “It’ll be your turkey dressing, gravy with green beans, yam, rolls, dessert and I think that about covers it from a meal standpoint.”
Spinks said there were 18 drivers to deliver the meals. Some of the drivers had other volunteers with them to help make the deliveries. He specifically said some grandchildren came along.
“There was a message that the grandparents wanted to convey to the grandchildren,” Spinks said with a smile. “Yesterday was the smoothest of these events that we could ever recall Thanksgiving working.
“Was it perfect? No, never will be, but it was better than it ever has been, so we are well pleased.”
Spinks said the only issue was pickup was slower than in past years at the Care Station.
Dianne Mitchell, director of community/public relations/marketing for Northwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center, oversees the “Community Thanksgiving Dinner 2012” account where anyone can make a donation that goes toward paying for the Thanksgiving meals.
Contributions can be made at any Planter’s Bank during the year.
“It’s only used one time a year and it’s a Thanksgiving dinner for the Clarksdale community,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said this year there were no advertisements or signs placed around the community seeking donations. She said there were still $1,600 in donations.
“It was hard on everybody this year,” Mitchell said. “We didn’t campaign, go out and ask for people, but people still donated so we were able to do half of what we did last year.”
Mitchell said 1,200 plates were given away in 2019.
Care Station board president Charlie Estess expressed appreciation to volunteers and donors.
“We just appreciate the community and everything they do to take care of the less fortunate,” Estess said. “Clarksdale is a special place. We could not function without the (Clarksdale) fire department and the (Clarksdale) police department and the things that they do to help us.”
Estess said Jay and Lori Burchfield, church friends of theirs and other people they know have helped with food preparation for several years.
“They’ve already got their volunteers lined up and they are already signed up to work next year,” Estess said. “It’s a big group effort.”
Members of the community who received plates of food appreciated everyone’s effort.
“It’s a blessing to have a place especially in your hometown,” said Clarksdale resident Archie Davis. “There’s a lot of homeless people here that can get something to eat. I’ll be 67 next June.”
