But for some, it’s quite a different story.
There are many needy families in Cedartown that without help from local organizations, would not be able to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner.
St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church will be distributing 25 baskets of canned items to needy families just in time for Thanksgiving.The families were referred to the church through the Samaritan House.
Established in 1986 by the Cedartown Ministerial Association, the Samaritan House provides services such as an emergency food pantry, a community free lunch program, a cloth diaper program and a needy expense program.
The Samaritan House is a success in that they offer these services to Cedartown residents who find themselves in dire situations.
“We do this everyday, not just Thanksgiving,” stated Peggy Reid when asked about the food pantry program. “We are low on cans [of food] and the pantries are a little bare.”
According to Reid, the need for a helping hand increases during the colder months, as more families expend more money for heating purposes, thus leaving little or no money for food and other essentials.
The Cedartown High School VICA Club is also trying to make the holidays a little brighter and tastier for one area family and residents of the Greyfield Apartments and Our House.
Russ Edge, VICA coordinator, secured $300 that has been set aside to buy groceries. Students participating in the VICA Thanksgiving program will take this money and purchase turkeys and other typical Thanksgiving feast items. Enough food will be purchased for one family to have a full Thanksgiving meal.
Edge states that $150 in groceries, or enough food to feed three families, will be given to residents in the Greyfield Apartments who do not have immediate family or loved ones to share their Thanksgiving. Enough food for two families, or $100 worth in groceries, will be given to Our House, Polk County’s Battered Women and Children’s Shelter.
Casey’s Food Store in Cedartown will be giving away a free Thanksgiving dinner in a drawing that will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 5 p.m. Casey’s Food Store will be open on Thanksgiving Day until 7 p.m.
The Cedartown Kroger is currently holding a can drive. The drive will last until Christmas.
Officials from Kroger state that delivery trucks will be unloading grocery items all next week and on Thanksgiving Day. Kroger will be open on the 28th all day.
Thanksgiving meals would not be complete without something for the sweet tooth.
The Ideal Bakery, located on Main Street in Cedartown, will be closed on Thanksgiving, but will be open on Wednesday until 5.
The bakery offers pecan, pumpkin and sweet potato pies as well as Red Velvet cake and coconut cake, along with other sweet treats.
Prices range from $5- $13.
Other businesses and organizations are planning events geared toward the Christmas holidays.
The United Fund of Cedartown is entering their 42nd year of helping local children and families during the season.
The United Fund, WGAA radio, Casey’s Food Store and the Kiwanis Club will be collecting toys for children who would not otherwise receive them on Christmas morning.
WGAA Food Store radio will be sponsoring their toy drive at Casey’s tomorrow and Saturday, Nov. 30.
In addition to the two drive dates listed above, toys may be contributed throughout the Christmas season.
Drop-off points are Casey’s, WGAA or the United Fund office.
Last year, 556 children received gifts from the United Fund Toy Drive.
The Cedartown Wal-Mart is also collecting toys for underprivedged children. A Christmas tree, scheduled to be on display sometime this week, will contain pieces of paper with the names of children who would like a toy for Christmas.
And on Dec. 7, Wal-Mart will donate a portion of sales to the Cedartown United Fund to go towards their toy fund.
For more information concerning the United Fund Toy Drive, call 770-748-1215 or call the WGAA Radio Station at 770-748-1349.
The Samaritan House can be reached at 770-748-1722.
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