By By MaryClaire Foster
Many area churches, schools and businesses have already begun coming together to support those in need this holiday season.
Pastor Arnold Hendrix’s church, First Baptist Atmore, hosted the annual Community Thanksgiving service bringing together nine different churches. During the service a collection was taken with all proceeds going to the Atmore Area Christian Care Ministries.
Hendrix said the service is a time for goodwill and fellowship.
Hendrix said they chose AACCM because of the work it does.
In total, the Community Thanksgiving Service collected $937.
First Baptist Church Atmore also had a food drive at its weekly Wednesday night dinner and collected more than 75 food items.
Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church and Unity Baptist Church were two of several other churches that had collections for the AACCM. Mt. Pisgah gave more than 100 food items and Unity donated food items along with $430.
Escambia Academy also hosted an Iron Bowl themed food drive to benefit the AACCM, bringing in more than 1,500 food and drink items.
Student Government Association President Alan Ash said the food drive is a fun way for students to give. As an incentive to donate, students were allowed to wear their favorite teams colors.
United Bank also held its annual food and blood donation drives, tying them into Iron Bowl festivities as well.
Deborah Camp, who works in customer service at United, said Thanksgiving and the Iron Bowl are good ways to promote helping others.
Employees put their food items on a table representing their favorite team and there was also a table for those who were neutral.
A.C. Moore Elementary School also held an Iron Bowl themed food drive.
Alabama won the food drive by a significant margin and in total the school collected more than 350 items.
The Atmore Advance participated in giving by offering a discounted subscription with the donation of five food items.
Due to reader support, the Advance was able to donate 88 food items to AACCM.
AACCM Director Giles Chapman said his organization is very appreciative of the community’s continual outpouring of support.
Chapman said more people are needing now than ever, but is confident that the Lord will continue to allow them to help those in need.
Chapman acknowledged that their services are sometimes abused, but said regardless it is important for them, like everyone to continue to give to and support others.