The Stewpot gives thanks to God and to you as it continues its mission to those who otherwise would not have daily meals. We pray for blessings for those who give time, food and money; blessings on those who receive our meals.

You do not need to be told that the Stewpot has been fulfilling its mission of serving those who need them since 1985. Meals are served on-site and delivered to shut-ins. Most meals are given to the elderly, handicapped, chronically ill, unemployed, living alone, etc.

Eligibility to receive meals is based on need. We are sometimes limited by our inability to deliver to out of the way places. We presently have nearly reached the maximum number of meals we can prepare daily due to limited facilities. However, we can still add meals for those with real needs.

Your past support has made it possible, and your future support will make it possible for the Stewpot to continue serving free meals even in these hard times.

We need your gifts to provide operating money for another year. Our annual total operating cost has risen to approximately $53,000 this year or $.55 per meal. With this we serve 250 to 300 meals every day of the year. We expect these costs to increase.

We also need your gifts of money to replenish our rainy day fund. In addition to the above operating costs, we have had to spend much more this year than in the past for major building repairs and equipment — to date $15,000 and an estimated $5,000 more. Repairs included building a pitched roof, replacing rotten wood, moving and re-installing the air conditioner, adding lighting, cleaning and painting the exterior, installing a new oven and more. When this necessary work is completed, no major repairs will be needed for many years.

We must continue receiving money from the usual sources. There are too many to list; you know who you are. Thanks. Hopefully this year some group will have a fundraising project — such as the Empty Bowls project.

Gifts of food are also necessary to keep us going. We receive food from so many individuals, businesses, churches, schools, clubs, etc.

Food donations include canned goods and other non-perishables, leftovers from events (served the same day or day after received), fresh produce from local gardens, meat and produce from local wholesale businesses and a very special deer market. Groups collect food for Stewpot in many unique ways — examples are the postal workers’ annual collection and The Natchez Democrat’s “We CAN do it!” challenge.

The more food donated the less we have to buy from the Mississippi Food Network and other local wholesale and retail merchants.

We must have money and food, but just as necessary are those who prepare, serve and deliver the meals. Some volunteers are at Stewpot every day; many have been recognized with The Natchez Democrat’s Unsung Hero honor. The volunteers who deliver meals to shut-ins are on the front line. Thanks also to those serve on Sundays. There are so many key people at Stewpot that I am not naming them lest I leave someone out.

Answering a frequently asked question, money may be donated to Natchez Community Stewpot, P.O. Box 298, Natchez, MS 39121. Food may be taken to Stewpot at 69 East Franklin St., between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. or will be picked up if you call 601-442-9413 or 601-442-2270 after hours.

Thanks to our caring community, we can provide meals every day to those who need them. Once again we will serve holiday meals with all the trimmings on Thanksgiving and Christmas. As you have in the past, help us make it all possible.

Louis Gunning is the director of the Natchez Stewpot.