NATCHEZ — Adams County’s board of supervisors was looking to pack a pickup with groceries to donate to the less fortunate, but the people of the Miss-Lou helped them pack three.

The idea to “pack the pickup” was first suggested by Supervisor Mike Lazarus after he saw something similar on television. The supervisors agreed to team up with other county employees at different supermarkets around Natchez from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday to solicit donations for the Stewpot, the non-profit kitchen that provides hot meals to anyone who needs them.

And the people gave. Supervisors’ President Darryl Grennell said the four-hour drive netted approximately $7,000 in groceries and $633 in cash.

Stewpot Director Louis Gunning said the collected donations would keep the kitchen’s shelves filled for three to four months, and when coupled with the can drives hosted by churches and other organizations this winter, would help feed those who need it for approximately six months.

Grennell said he was touched by the way the people of Natchez-Adams County seemed to give without hesitation.

“One young woman walked up with her son and put some canned goods in and then reached to give some money,”

Grennell said. “Her son said, ‘We already gave,’ and she turned to him and said, ‘Son, let me tell you something. There are people worse off than we are and any time you can help feed somebody, help them.’”

Lazarus said not only did the drive collect lots of canned goods, rice, flour and sugar, but also a turkey, cake and pies.

“When I suggested this idea, I never thought it would be so successful,” he said. “There are so many good people in Adams County, and the people who give you the most are the people who look like they can afford it the least.”

Supervisor David Carter set up shop outside of Natchez Market 1 for the drive, and estimated 70 percent of those who entered the store came out with a donation.

“When we first had this idea, I was kind of curious about how involved the public would be, and I was amazed at the generosity,” he said.

Supervisor Calvin Butler said he enjoyed the experience because he was able to get out and meet his constituents while collaborating for the collective good of the community.

“People just opened up their arms and their hearts, and they gave plenty,” he said. “Some people didn’t want to be bothered at first, but when they found out it was for the Stewpot, they would turn around and say, ‘Hey, OK, I’ll do this.’”

Supervisor Angela Hutchins said she used to deliver meals to shut-ins for the Stewpot and was on board with the drive from the beginning.

And though she had to stand in the cold and her fingers and feet felt like ice, Hutchins said she would do it again to see the people of the community working together for a good cause.

“We had one woman who went into the store and came out with bags of groceries and said, ‘Here it is,’” Hutchins said.

The board members had a friendly competition between themselves to see who could collect the most goods, and Lazarus said he wants to extend the contest to the Natchez Board of Aldermen.

“We are going to challenge the city,” he said. “There it is — beat us.”

Gunning said if the Natchez board does as well as the supervisors, he won’t have the shelf space to place donations.

But that’s a problem with which he’s willing to deal.

“I’ll find somewhere for it,” he said.