The caring and giving nature of our community was truly on display last week.

Before we prepare for the week ahead, let’s take a look back at some of the highlights from last week:

-Christmas came early for a few area children in need as local law enforcement officials escorted them on a shopping trip through the Santa Cop program. The program is organized by the Natchez Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police and takes children for breakfast at McDonalds before going to Walmart to choose nearly $150 worth of presents. We thank the organization for continuing the tradition and the community for donating funds to help give children a Merry Christmas.

-Sarah Meriwether and her family are taking on the task this year of providing one local family with what they need for Christmas. Meriwether helped take care of the family last year as part of a group effort with other friends, but this year she and her family are taking on the project by themselves, along with the help of her Facebook friends, who she asked for donations for the family. We thank Meriwether and her family for recognizing the true meaning of Christmas and helping others in need.

-In just three hours, Natchez residents had donated enough groceries to fill seven pickup trucks worth. Those groceries were donated to the Natchez Stewpot as part of the Pack the Pickup food drive, which the Adams County Board of Supervisors created last year. The supervisors and other volunteers stood outside area grocery stores and solicited donations from shoppers. Thanks to the donations, the Stewpot now has food to last them three to four months, which will go a long way for the organization that serves free, hot meals to anyone who needs them.

Christmas is right around the corner, so let’s remember the true meaning of the holidays as we prepare for another week in the Miss-Lou.