WEST POINT, Ms. (WTVA) --Thanksgiving came early for hundreds of people in West Point.
Wednesday the Third Mt. Olive M.B. church along with local leaders cooked up some hot meals to serve to the community.
It started with a service of thanks, then the feeding of the masses began.
For more than a decade the church has been celebrating the season of thanks, by giving.
It's never been this big. We are already at 18 hundred plates. We have sent out food to sick and shut-in and to the people who walked in. My heart is just overwhelmed today," said Alma Brown, organizer.
Eva Smith said she looks forward to the lunch every year. She said it's a great way to unify the community and help those in need.
"I think it's very important that we all pitch in to do what we can for our community," said Smith.
For Henry Newly the event is a welcomed treat.
I come when I can because I'm in bad shape right now," said Newly.
Leaders offered Newly several meals and a helping hand. Pastor Al Lathan, Sr. said that's the whole purpose of the ministry-to nourish the body with food and nourish the soul.
"It's about presenting the word of God more so than it is about presenting the food. We know if we feed we will bring people, but its about the word of God we are trying to get out into the community. We believe if we can get the word into people our community will be better," said Lathan.
As much as the feast is having an impact on others, volunteers said they received the greatest reward by giving.
