CBS 19 - The Eye of East Texas News - 1200 East Texas families fed for Thanksgiving

1200 East Texas families fed for Thanksgiving

LONGVIEW, TX (KYTX) - East Texans donate more than 50,000 lbs of food. It's the result of the community-wide Thanksgiving food drive in Longview Monday. And Tuesday, that food went to needy families.

A line wrapped around the Maude Cobb Convention Center.

"I'm here for a Thanksgiving box," said Luketta Gholston.

More than 1,200 families signed up this year to receive a box of food full of Thanksgiving favorites.

"Turkey, dressing, potato salad, green beans, cake. A little bit of everything," said Deadra Long.

For many, putting food on the table is more difficult this year.

"It's helping me a lot because with the economy and everything going down," Gholston explained.

"Because the economy is so bad and I didn't have any food at my house," added Jessie Andrews.

The Thanksgiving Food Drive Committee, a group of community members, worked all year to help these needy families.

"We start with nothing and it's purely by donations and the kindness of people in this community," said organizer Betty Horaney.

She added food donations were a little lower this year, but monetary donations made up for it, and Brookshires-Super 1 shipped in a truck-load of food. The committee made up 1800 boxes. That's about 50,000 lbs of food. Based on the line, they're praying it's enough.

"You know people say how do you know you'll have enough and I just say the good Lord's always come through for us, and He has," said Horaney.

And these once hungry families walk away with enough food for a Thanksgiving spread.

"I appreciate what they're doing because they're helping not only me but other people so we all appreciate what they're doing for us," said Carolyn George.

"I'm just happy to be here to receive this Thanksgiving blessing," said Andrews.