Organizations hand out essentials during season of giving

Christmas food bags are packed and lined up to be distributed to many locals in Meridian. The Wesley House distributes food bags every Wednesday, but this week is a little more special for Christmas.

“For the food, we also had close to 700 hundred people sign up for the holiday food bags this year,” said David Schultz, Director of the Wesley House. “We try to keep a mixture of vegetables, proteins, carbs so they get a well-rounded bag.”

For the holidays, the organization has also added toys to the mix. Toys are age-appropriate for both girls and boys.

“We had somewhere between 350 and 400 children that we were distributing Christmas toys for this year,” said Schultz. “It’s a part of our Christmas cleaning house. We do toys for the holiday for the children.”

As a part of giving Tuesday, the United Way of East Mississippi partnered with one organization in handing out sanitation items in honor of Raekwon Davis. Raekwon is a native of Meridian and current defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins. Davis partnered with Trip Wipes to match the purchase of Shower Sheets.

“It’s a campaign for hygiene for the homeless so it’s a fight against infectious diseases,” said Ealyncia Johnson, Lead Consultant for Images Management and Lead Project Manager for Rae’s Elves. “We’re just handing out sanitation items making sure that people remember to stay sanitized during this time.”

Schultz says they are always looking for volunteers to pack and distribute food bags on a weekly basis.

“On Monday and Tuesday we need to pack out 400 to 500 hundred food bags,” said Schultz. “On Wednesday, we’re distributing those bags and on Thursday and Friday, we’re replenishing our supplies.”