The Texarkana community cares for its own. Two downtown organizations provided a Thanksgiving meal for those in need, as well as the general public, on Thursday.
Randy Sams Outreach Shelter provided lunch, and Salvation Army Texarkana served dinner.
Randy Sams feeds its community a lunch every day, but on Thanksgiving Day, they invite in anyone in the community who would like to partake. Usually, they have volunteers helping to serve, but this year, because of COVID, they had to do it a bit differently.
"The city of Texarkana, Texas, gave us permission to block off part of the street where we set up a bunch of outdoor tables and chairs (thanks to Dot's Rentals for that)," said Jennifer Lacefield, executive director. "We invited everyone in the community who wished to share to come. We were able to socially distance the dining area, using the back lot of Mission Texarkana. We thank them all for making this possible, as well as all those who helped provide food and dining utensils."
Those organizations included Cooper Tire, Albertson's, Silver Star Smokehouse, Dixie Diner, Julie's Deli and Damien Davis.
"Ninety percent of the food we get is donated by our wonderful community," Lacefield said. "We've been doing Thanksgiving at Randy Sams for at least the last 20 years, and our community has always been instrumental in making it possible."
The meals were given out in to-go trays.
"It was a two-week process to get this meal ready," said Lori Petit, kitchen manager at Randy Sams. "Over 30 turkeys were prepared for this meal."
"We thank everyone who donated food and money to make this happen," Lacefield said. "We look forward to doing this again next year."
Thursday evening, Salvation Army-Texarkana served its evening meal, to which the community is always invited. But on Thanksgiving, they do it up a little extra special. Lamont King, who has cooked for the Salvation Army Kitchen for four years, has been involved in Thanksgiving preparation for all four of those years.
"We get about 75 members of the public who dine with us on Thanksgiving," he said. "About nine turkeys were involved in our preparation. We do something just as special around Christmas."
As the diners come in for their meals and relax in the Salvation Army dining area, King says it is just a blessing to be able to serve.
"This is not about me," he said. "I do what I do. I love cooking and I give thanks to God for giving me this opportunity to serve. I'm just humble and grateful to being doing my part in God's work."