NATCHEZ — With the community’s support, local officials hope to fill the Natchez Stewpot’s shelf for at least half a year.

The Adams County Board of Supervisors will team up with the Natchez Board of Aldermen to “Pack the Pickup” full of canned goods at the area’s five grocery stores today. Supervisors President Mike Lazarus said monetary donations would also be accepted, and last year approximately $7,000 was raised.

“You never know when you are going to be the one having to have your meals supplied by the Stewpot,” Lazarus said. “For a lot of people, this is the only meal they will get.”

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell, who was a supervisor when the program began three years ago, said he hopes with the aldermen involved, the group will raise enough food to supply the Stewpot for six months.

Grennell said the supervisors typically bring the Stewpot food to last three to four months.

“I thought it would be wonderful for the city to be involved in a community service project, and since this is already established, it would be pretty easy to just get involved,” he said. “It is just a great project. I enjoy it every year.”

Grennell said it would also be good for aldermen and supervisors to work together.

Lazarus brought the idea to the supervisors in 2013 when he noticed supervisors in other communities were hosting similar food drives. Lazarus said he saw a the same need in the local community and decided to take action.

“If we can spend one day and feed people for close to six months, we should do it,” Lazarus said. “It’s for a good cause.”

From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., the aldermen and supervisors will be at the following locations:

• Grennell, Supervisor Ricky Gray and County Road Department Manager Robbie Dollar will be at Natchez Walmart.
• Lazarus, Alderwoman Sarah Smith and County Administrator Joe Murray will be at Southside Market.
• Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis, Supervisor David Carter and Chancery Clerk Brandi Lewis will be at Natchez Market.
• Supervisor Calvin Butler, Alderman Billie Joe Frazier and Emergency Management Director Robert Bradford will be at Cash Saver.
• Alderman Ben Davis and Supervisor Angela Hutchins will be at Natchez Market 2.

Sheriff Travis Patten said Monday he would make sure the sheriff’s office was represented at the various locations.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “We will come out and support it.”

Alderwoman Felicia Irving and Alderman Dan Dillard could not be reached to determine locations.