As part of a continuing effort to raise community awareness among Lamar School elementary students, first-graders in Mrs. Donna Brewer’s class recently worked with art teacher Jan Trest to construct colorful birds to enhance the dining tables at LOVE’s Kitchen. Throughout the year students from different grades help create cards, baskets, and decorations for our residents of area nursing homes, military personnel serving away from home, children who cannot be home for a holiday due to illness, and others who may be less fortunate due to a variety of circumstances.

The children learn to recognize that we are blessed to have holidays filled with special family gatherings and good food, and we try to develop greater appreciation for what we have and think about what we can do to help those in need, especially at times when it’s hard for some to find anything for which to be thankful. In addition to the art project students were asked to compose a comment about the meaning behind their gift:

• “I made a shoebox for Love’s Kitchen. I wanted to help people for

Thanksgiving. Helping people makes them feel better. God likes for us

to help each other.” — Zachary Honeycutt

• “I made my shoebox for people to look at when they eat Thanksgiving dinner. I want people to know that others care about them.” — Isabell Long

• “I made a shoebox for Love’s Kitchen. It was a colorful turkey shoebox. I made it so people could have some Thanksgiving decorations. I hope they love them and the shoeboxes made them happy!” — Madison Koehler

• “I made a turkey shoebox to share with others. It had many pretty colors. Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble, Gobble!” — Harris Mason

• I made a turkey shoebox for people who come to Love’s Kitchen. I hope they like looking at it, while they eat food.” — Madison Norris

Founded in 1983 by the late Judge Billy Neville, LOVE’s Kitchen feeds the homeless and working poor of the area. The Kitchen is supported by churches, synagogues, individuals and corporations as well as the Untied Way of East Mississippi. To learn more about Love’s Kitchen contact Al Brown at (601) 934-5978.