By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Writer

The Women of the Church of God from Kincheon Road Church of God are creating baskets of food for families in need this Thanksgiving.

The baskets will consist of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans, yams, macaroni and cheese and rolls. Members of the church will give out the baskets on Nov. 22 and will deliver to those who cannot get out and get theirs.

Malvester Cooper, a member of the church, said she presented the idea to her church body in late September.

“This was my brainchild and my church got behind me on it,” said Cooper.

She had the idea after seeing census data that shocked her.

“The census report came out and said that every fifth person in Chilton County is in poverty,” said Cooper.

She spoke with her family about the idea for a couple months before presenting it to the congregation. Her initial estimates for the impact of the event were meager.

“I was thinking this might feed 10 or 20 families, but it’s now up to 60,” said Cooper. “I didn’t know what I was getting into, but it’s been a blessing.”

Cooper said many from the community have donated enough to buy meals, which were priced at $30 each due to partnerships with Walmart and Community Action.

She listed a few businesses that have given to the fund, including Agee Brothers Funeral Home, Community Action and KMA. Cooper works at KMA and was proud when they donated enough to buy 35 feasts.

Cooper said she would be using her own home as the distribution center because it is more conveniently located than the church. According to her, Community Action is helping locate families in need, so all the church has to do is prepare the baskets and distribute them.

“I thank God that it’s been a wonderful blessing,” said Cooper. “It’s going to be such a blessing to some families, and that is what Thanksgiving is for.”