NATCHEZ — When Barbara Hoggatt’s brother fell on some hard financial times, the tight knit family of nine siblings banded together to help him out.

When the Dart landed on Lynda Lee Drive, the smell of barbecue chicken and the yard full of clothes and furniture could both be identified from blocks away.

All day Saturday, the siblings had hauled out loads of clothes for sale, with the going rate of one 13-gallon garbage bag full costing $5.

“Some people had them so stuffed,” Hoggatt said with a laugh.

Just a few feet away, barbecue chicken was being cranked off the grill and loaded into Styrofoam boxes for the continuous of hungry people.

The plan was to only have a barbecue, as the siblings had already had a garage sale the previous Saturday.

Hoggatt said there were so many items left over that they just brought everything back out.

She said it’s typical of her family to help each other out.

“We go above and beyond for each other,” she said.

Even though some had to drive from Baton Rouge, Jackson and Crystal Springs, it didn’t matter.

“If someone needs, everybody jumps in,” she said.

Patrick Conner, who the benefit was for, said he is grateful to have such a caring family.

“We help out in times of need,” he said.

His penance was being the grill master, however.

He said he didn’t mind though.

“I do all the family cooking,” he said.

Having already cooked 15 cases of chicken, he said he enjoys manning the grill and even helps out other people when they need it.

“I do benefits for other people,” he said.

Hoggatt said the family wasn’t aiming for a certain amount of money to be raised, just “as much as possible.”

Hoggatt said in addition to selling clothing and chicken, people had just been dropping by with donations.

She said she’s grateful to live in such a giving community and that even in these hard times, people find the ability and willingness to give.

Hoggatt said Saturday’s event would be the last installment of the fundraiser.

“We thought about having a car wash, but we’re all tired now,” she said. “We’re ready to get out of the sun.”

The scorching July weather may have given the family a run for their money but they had rented industrial fans to keep the humid air flowing.

With children running around laughing and playing and the grill’s smoke billowing towards a bright blue sky, the setting was seemed more akin to a party.

“So many people are just coming out here to socialize,” Hoggatt said.