VIDALIA &8212; Jenna Grace Birely turned 1 month old Monday, and while she has only 2 pounds and 9 ounces to show for herself, her family is happy she&8217;s making progress.

&8220;We&8217;re very optimistic, she&8217;s doing well,&8221; her mother Holly Weatherly Birely said.

The Vidalia Market is helping the family celebrate with a lunch benefit Friday in the parking lot.

Vidalia Market Manager Robert Parker had one piece of advice for those planning to attend.

&8220;We want everyone to come over hungry,&8221; he said.

Parker and volunteers will be serving chicken, beans, potato salad and a slice of cake. The lunch costs $5 and will be served until they run out of food.

Parker said the Market is donating some of the food, but the store&8217;s employees and other members of the community are giving a lot, as well.

&8220;This is a real community effort going into this,&8221; he said. &8220;But this community is famous for that.&8221;

Jenna&8217;s grandfather, Eddie Weatherly, is the assistant manager of the store.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Birely Medical Expense account at the Vidalia branch of Concordia Bank and Trust.

Holly and Dustin Birely, are living at the Ronald McDonald House in Jackson while she remains in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

She will be in the hospital until at least March 20, Holly&8217;s original due date.

Jenna Grace weighed 1 pound, 11 ounces when she was delivered by Caesarean section 12 weeks premature.

Her twin sister, Jadyn Elizabeth, died Jan. 1.

Holly Birely said Jenna is breathing through nasal prongs and the doctors are optimistic that her progress, though slow, will continue.

She didn&8217;t know if they would be able to attend Friday, but said they think of everyone at home a lot and hope they understand.

&8220;We both miss home,&8221; Holly Birely said. &8220;But everything here is so much more important.&8221;