NATCHEZ — The Adams County Board of Supervisors will be collecting canned goods in hopes of delivering several pickup trucks full of food to the Natchez Stewpot.

District 1 Supervisor Mike Lazarus said the idea for “Pack the Pickup” came after he saw a similar food drive for the Mississippi Food Network in Jackson on the news.

The Stewpot prepares between 250 and 300 meals, many of which are delivered, for the needy every day of the year.

The county supervisors have made the food drive into a friendly competition, Lazarus said, by dividing up into teams to see whose team can collect the most cans.

Lazarus will be on a team with County Administrator Joe Murray and County Attorney Scott Slover.

Supervisor Darryl Grennell, Road Manager Robbie Dollar and Chancery Clerk Tommy O’Beirne are on a team.

Supervisor David Carter is on a team with purchasing clerk Frances Bell and inventory clerk Corvette McNeal.

Supervisors Calvin Butler and Angela Hutchins are on a team with Emergency Management Director Stan Owens.

The supervisors will set up a pickup truck for donations at local grocery stores, which will include the Markets’ locations and Walmart, in their respective districts and ask residents to drop of canned goods. Lazarus said the event will likely happen on a Saturday soon after Thanksgiving.

Lazarus said “Pack the Pickup” will allow the supervisors and residents to give back to the community, while also having fun.

“We have a fun group, and we all get along, and we all like helping people.” he said. “As supervisors, we need to give back to the community.”

Butler agrees and said the Stewpot is instrumental in making sure local residents don’t go hungry.

“You see lines and lines out the door of people going in there to eat,” he said. “Each one of us (on the board) has a passion to help the community, and we’re excited to be out doing some civic work.”

Lazarus said a date for “Pack the Pickup” will be set soon, but in the meantime, anyone wishing to donate canned goods can drop them off at the supervisors’ office at 314 State St.

“Just make sure you tell them it’s for District 1’s team,” Lazarus joked.