NATCHEZ — Adams County Christian School alumnus Kevin Campbell and Natchez native Nathan Latimer spent their Thanksgiving giving back to the needy.

Bringing care packages to go along with the Natchez Stewpot’s Thanksgiving meals was an effort by the ACCS Key Club group.

Campbell serves as the Key Club advisor, and worked with students to fill bags with a bar of soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a pair of socks and a hairbrush to distribute on Thanksgiving.

Campbell started this project in 2007 while in junior high school, and has continued to keep it going while attending Alcorn State University and working part-time as an English teacher at ACCS.

“We were looking for a project to do while I was younger,” Campbell said. “We came up with this idea because some of the people who come to the Stewpot may not have these items that we just have laying around the house.”

Campbell said it’s surprising to see what a bag of goods can do for someone’s day.

“I see people when we bring items, and their eyes light up over a pair of socks,” Campbell said. “Hopefully, it’s a blessing to the people that are receiving these bags. We overlook the little things on Thanksgiving, and I feel it’s important to do this because the little things we take for granted, some people don’t have.”

Stewpot manager and employee Johnnie Davis said the Stewpot has seen a number of volunteers this week. Nearly 10 volunteers worked in the kitchen, while several more came to the Stewpot to deliver meals.

The volunteers started with 300 meals, but Davis said she boxed 450 meals in total.

“Preparation for the food has been good,” Davis said. “It took us two nights to prepare the food.”

Volunteers Brenda Moore, Mykal Squalls and Gail Guido were among the many volunteers preparing to serve Miss-Lou residents.

Moore volunteers with the Stewpot every year during Thanksgiving, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I really would volunteer more than just on Thanksgiving,” Moore said. “This is the only time that I have and I love to be here. (Davis) has done a great job, and she has worked hard for the people who are being fed through the Stewpot. I just want to be a part of it and help any way I can.”

Squalls, 11, spent his time in the assembly line preparing to-go plates filled with dressing, ham, turkey, cranberry sauce and other food items for a majority of the morning.

“I find enjoyment in helping other people,” Squalls said.

Guido spent her time getting ready to deliver the to-go plates within the Natchez area, but delivering food on Thanksgiving was nothing new to her.

“I deliver every Thursday,” Guido said. “I was thrilled that Thanksgiving was on Thursday this year. It’s a combination of doing what I love and seeing the people I care about.”

Louis Gunning, the Stewpot’s director, said anyone who wishes to help the Stewpot, especially during the holiday season, can do so by giving monetary donations, bringing canned goods or even volunteering.