>On a day for giving thanks, Lincoln County residents shouldnot have to go hungry, according to organizers of Brookhaven eventsthis week to feed the needy on Thanksgiving Day.

Rose “Polly” Powell said she expects this year’s third annualJimmy Furlow Celebrity Host Thanksgiving Day Feast to be moreenjoyable than the 2005 event.

Last year, Polly’s Soul Food Restaurant had a lot to be thankfulfor, she said. The restaurant rebounded to host the event only afew weeks after a fire nearly destroyed the diner.

Polly’s Soul Food Restaurant traditionally serves a free dinneron Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to thank its customersfor their patronage and to provide the needy with a fulfillingholiday feast.

“It’s kind of like community fellowshiping,” Powell said.”Furlow helped to get it started. He told the mayor, Terry Reid andDoc Harrison, and it grew from there. I wanted to name it afterFurlow because it only seemed fitting. He taught me aboutsacrifice.”

Jimmy Furlow, a long-time city employee and community leader,died in a work-related accident in 2005.

This year’s menu includes turkey, dressing, corn, string beans,a roll, drinks and cake, Powell said.

The dinner will be served by the volunteers with the mayor’soffice, city aldermen, fire department, police department,sheriff’s department, area ministers, businessmen and othercommunity leaders.

People who are disabled or without transportation can call (601)833-5335 to have an event celebrity either deliver the meal orprovide transportation.

Volunteers at Brookhaven Outreach Ministries formed an assemblyline Tuesday afternoon to prepare bags of groceries for theministry’s annual Thanksgiving food giveaway.

“It’s an annual event we have to get some food to the needy forThanksgiving,” said the Rev. Jerry Durr, president. “They don’thave to eat it on Thanksgiving, but it’s there for them.”

He said approximately 110 families registered for the giveaway.Volunteers Tuesday made deliveries to approximately 50 residents atBrookwood and Lincoln Village apartments.

“Others in need are coming by here tomorrow and picking it upfor as long as it lasts,” Durr said Tuesday.

The prepared Thanksgiving bags include chicken, beef stew, greenbeans, orange juice, corn, cookies and many other items, Durrsaid.