NATCHEZ — Sweet potato pone casserole and chocolate cake were on the menu at the Natchez Community Stewpot Thursday as nine volunteers prepared hundreds of meals for the elderly, handicapped and shut-ins.

Marcus Davis, a worker at the Stewpot, said nine volunteers began preparing Monday for Thanksgiving by washing 28 turkeys, making cornbread and prepping foods. Davis said the Stewpot expected to serve 353 Thanksgiving meals.

The Natchez Community Stewpot opened in 1984 and provides more than 300 meals per day to elderly, handicapped and shut-in Natchezians six days a week, Davis said.

While some people came to the Stewpot to collect their meals Thursday, Davis said 188 meals would be delivered by the end of the day.

“We want to help the less fortunate and feed the shut-ins,” Davis said. “They’ll be very excited. This is the only meal some of them will get. It’s about helping the ones who can’t help themselves.”

Davis said his mother Johnnie B. Davis and cousin Erica Coleman also volunteer at the Stewpot.

“It also brings our family together,” Davis said.

The meals consisted of turkey, gravy, dressing, ham, macaroni and cheese, rolls, pies and more.

Johnnie Davis, who has served meals at the Stewpot for 27 years, said Thanksgiving is just another day that they are able to help out the community.

“I enjoy cooking for them,” Johnnie Davis said. “When I cook I put all my heart and soul into it.”

Mamie Green was one Natchez resident who showed up for a meal a little before noon.

“I thank the Lord they’re doing it, and we appreciate it,” Green said. “There are a lot of hungry people and it’s a blessing.”