Thanksgiving blessings through volunteerism

Sarah Smith

STATESBORO  — The Office of Leadership and Community Engagement at Georgia Southern has many opportunities scheduled this holiday season for students to serve the community.

One of the biggest events that people can volunteer their time to is Feed the Boro. For over 20 years, Feed the Boro has brought Thanksgiving meals to over 4,000 people who are less fortunate in Bulloch and other surrounding counties. Public safety workers of Bulloch, Evans and Candler County who are missing the holiday will also receive plates from Feed the Boro. 

Volunteers will begin preparing the food on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 12:30 p.m. Preparation for the food lines will begin on Thanksgiving day at 7 a.m. in the Statesboro High School cafeteria. Food will begin being distributed at 10 a.m. and those who are not able to come to SHS will be delivered their plates. 

If  not available to volunteer, people can sponsor a meal. It is $15 to sponsor six meals, $25 for 10 meals and $100 for 40 meals. Payments can be sent to the paypal link via @feedtheboro or through mail at Feed the Boro, 701 Baytree Lane, Statesboro, Georgia 30458.

People can volunteer for Feed the Boro here. 

Other service opportunities during the Thanksgiving holiday are listed below, according to Jordan Wilburn, the community engagement coordinator for the Office of Leadership and Community Engagement. 

From now until Nov. 22, the Holiday Helper Tree will be located on the Russell Union stage with tags for ornaments. The tags represent a gift wish for someone in the community that people can fill out. Gifts are due Dec. 2.

Jackets and warm clothing are being collected this winter season in Russell Union room 1056 as well as food and animal food. 

Volunteers are needed to help guide runners in the Turkey Trot 5K run on Nov. 23. People are also needed to help serve meals at the Thanksgiving at Bethany Lodge event on Nov. 24.

Serve912 has many volunteer opportunities coming up outside of the everyday calls to serve. Transportation is provided for all service opportunities along with service leaders. 

Sarah Smith, The George-Anne News Editor, gaeditor@georgiasouthern.edu