SOCSD staff members Amber Hicks and Angie Abernathy assemble Thanksgiving food boxes to be picked up by families.
"Every action, whether big or small, shows the love we have for our neighbors."
The action Dr. Andy Brown described is no small thing. First Baptist Church in Starkville partnered this November with Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District and East Mississippi Wholesale to provide Thanksgiving meals to 92 Yellow Jacket families the district has identified as most needy. Last week, Dr. Brown, FBC Lead Pastor, reflected on the church's commitment to serving as he discussed the project.
"This effort is deeply aligned with our mission to embody Christ's love in practical, meaningful ways," he said. "Many members of our congregation are educators, and we see firsthand the love and dedication they pour into their work. Partnering with the school district is a natural extension of our mission to serve our community."
On Wednesday and Thursday, SOCSD gave turkeys and food boxes containing ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving meal to the list of 92 district families who were identified by counselors and other staff members as those most in need of food support. Staff assembled the boxes, organized pick-up times at Armstrong Junior High School and delivered boxes to families who did not have transportation.
Food items were made available for purchase at cost from East Mississippi Wholesale and funds were provided by First Baptist Church.
"Darin Beall with East Mississippi Wholesale provided the meal items at cost and also helped us with storage and delivery," said SOCSD Intervention Specialist Angie Abernathy, who has spearheaded the service project for the last few years. "East Mississippi staff also helped us assemble the boxes, and of course, we cannot thank First Baptist enough for their support in providing the money necessary to serve so many of our students and their families."
"We believe in serving both the physical and spiritual needs of our community," said Dr. Brown. "Providing meals for families in need this Thanksgiving is just one example of how we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our neighborhood."
Abernathy shared that the project really began several years ago over a dinner conversation among friends. While eating at a local restaurant in November of 2022, talk turned to Mr. Beall's desire to share some of East Mississippi's available inventory with needy families. The question, however, was how to find local families who could most benefit. With Abernathy's experience during the school year alongside other district staff working with students and seeing their needs firsthand, she offered to help create a list of families.
"The first year, we gave out 12 Thanksgiving boxes," she said. "The next year, it was 64, and this year, we've been able to give 92 through the support of these community partners."
Ninety-two boxes do not meet all the needs that exist, however. Abernathy said the district has a working list of 120 families they hope to serve with boxes this Christmas. She underscored how instrumental administrators, counselors and teachers are in identifying students who experience food insecurity at home.
"Those staff members are boots on the ground every day and really know the families that they serve," she said.
Food insecurity is a concern that a surprising number of families in Oktibbeha County face, but it is easy to overlook.
"By meeting tangible needs of others, we hope to raise awareness of the disparities that many in our community face," said Dr. Brown. "Our hope is that through these acts of service, we can inspire others to get involved and build a stronger, more compassionate community."
That hope is one shared by Mrs. Abernathy. More than 75% of students enrolled in the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District qualify for free or reduced price school meals based on federal USDA income thresholds. Those families rely on meals at school, but during weekends, holidays and days when school is closed, food becomes more scarce. This scarcity has real impacts on how students learn.
"There is lots of research on nutritional deficits in young students and how it affects their performance in school," Abernathy said.
Data shows that students who struggle with food insecurities and nutrition deficits are less likely to be ready to begin kindergarten and are more likely to repeat a grade. In addition, students who suffer from food insecurities at a young age tend to have vitamin and mineral deficits which, over time, can lead to poor reading performance and impaired memory. Teens that suffer are at a higher risk of mood disorders, behavior issues and even substance abuse.
These realities bring a deeper meaning to the Thanksgiving meal effort, and not just for those receiving the boxes.
"I wish more people could experience this," said Amber Hicks, a SOCSD staff member who helped with packing, pick-up and delivery of the boxes. "Delivering some of the boxes gave us the chance to really see the joy they bring to families in our community and to recognize how blessed we are."
The joy that comes from meeting needs is a blessing also echoed by Dr. Brown.
"We want to be a trusted presence, advocating for the well-being of our city––both it's body and soul," he said. "This Thanksgiving effort is a beautiful reflection of that heart for service. True thankfulness is not found in the abundance of material things, but in a heart full of gratitude."
