NATCHEZ — For the past 21 years, Elrica Coleman has been volunteering on and off at the Natchez Stewpot.

“I see all the people in need in our community,” Coleman said. “I didn’t realize there was that many people in need every day.”

Coleman began volunteering to help her aunt Johnnie Davis who has been at the Stewpot for 27 years. Now Coleman has officially been working at the Stewpot for the past three years.

“Sometimes it is fun working here, with her (Davis),” Coleman said. “We’re pretty close.”

Every day, from Monday through Saturday approximately 400 people a day visit the Stewpot for a meal, Coleman said, which is an increase from years past.

“A lot of people, this is their only meal of the day,” Coleman said. “They depend on us.”

The Stewpot has a policy of giving only one plate per person unless authorized, so there is enough to go around.

“It was going really well for a while,” Coleman said. “We’re back kind of low. The community does step in at times and does different drives, stuff like that.”

Along with the joy of giving, Coleman said one of the benefits of the job is also watching other people pay it forward.

“People come in through here every day,” Coleman said. “They have a surplus of things that bring them in and seeing the joy on their faces when seeing that they’re helping and when people come by here to donate to us the joy on their face. They see how appreciative we are of it, and they come back.”

How to donate

The Stewpot is currently accepting donations of large cans of vegetables (no tomato products). Every day The Stewpot uses nine large cans of vegetables while preparing meals, Coleman said. Cans can be dropped off 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the Stewpot, 69 E. Franklin St., Natchez.