NATCHEZ &045; A preacher’s words and a friend’s encouragement were among the reasons several &uot;first-timers&uot; came out on Thanksgiving Day to serve food at the Stewpot.

And they quickly learned the pace of the assembly line as they fixed plates of turkey and dressing, ham, spinach casserole and sweet potatoes.

Betty Smith of the Washington community was moved to take part by her preacher’s sermon from the pulpit. With her husband working offshore and her children visiting in-laws elsewhere, she decided to volunteer to serve plates to those in need.

&uot;My preacher was preaching about how it’s good to give money and canned goods, but it takes more to have to come and do something,&uot; Smith said. &uot;So I decided to come do something.&uot;

Next to Smith on the assembly line was Artie Ellis, a Natchez resident and member of the Council of Negro Women’s local chapter.

&uot;I thought I’d get out and do something this Thanksgiving. And Brenda encouraged me,&uot; she said, nudging the friend standing next to her dishing up food.

Dr. Brenda Moore, assistant principal of Ferriday Upper Elementary School, has been volunteering on her off days for the past 10 years.

&uot;I love it here,&uot; she said. &uot;I really just try to use any of my off time (to volunteer).&uot;

With Moore and Ellis Thursday was Ellis’ granddaughter, Mechelle Greene, a senior at Natchez High and another new face volunteering at Stewpot.

Those first-timers mingled with longtime volunteers to serve plates at the Franklin Street facility.

&uot;We’re here every day,&uot; said Evandia Woods of Natchez. &uot;I feel good about feeding people in need.&uot;

Volunteers also delivered meals Thursday to about people on Stewpot’s regular routes.

&uot;We deliver 140 plates on a normal day,&uot; said Stewpot board president Louis Gunning. &uot;In house we serve about 40 people.&uot;