NATCHEZ &8212; The only thing different about the morning at the Stewpot on Thanksgiving Day is the number of volunteers.

Nearly 20 were on hand Thursday to help get out 300 meals to locals in need.

But the same 300 meals go out on the other 364 days of the year too, extra volunteers or not.

The non-profit has one full-time employee, Johnnie Davis. And Davis has two volunteer right-hand men, David Lewis and another who didn&8217;t want his name printed. The men are there every day to help.

On most days, the trio makes up the kitchen crew.

Director Louis Gunning is around to help when needed. And other returning volunteers pitch in when they can.

Volunteers also make deliveries daily.

But in the kitchen, it&8217;s Johnnie&8217;s domain.

She arrives at 6:30 a.m., starts filling plates at 10:30 a.m. and opens the doors to walk-ins around 11 a.m.

It may be 3 p.m. before she&8217;s finished the cleaning and locked the doors.

Johnnie is as dependable as the sunrise, Gunning said. And she works without complaint.

&8220;We&8217;ve got hooked to it now,&8221; Johnnie said of her daily trio.

They are used to having the place to themselves, but welcome other volunteers when they come.

Thursday&8217;s Thanksgiving crowd gave Johnnie a few moments to simply sit and direct.

But today will be back to the norm, Gunning said.

The Stewpot is distributing more meals today than ever, up about 50 from this time last year and up approximately 100 from a year and half ago.

The agency operates on about $33,000 a year, and the biggest worry is always paying the bills, Gunning said.

A large portion of the food is donated, but utility bills and a failing roof are currently gobbling up the funds.

Donations can be mailed to Stewpot, P.O. Box 298, Natchez, MS, 39121.

Food and supplies can be dropped by the 69 E. Franklin St. store between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on weekdays.