Faith Leaders Report Over 5,000 Thanksgiving Meals Served Across Gadsden

At the councils Dec. 9 meeting, faith leaders and mayoral staff reported on a citywide Thanksgiving meal effort organized across multiple sites. Pastor Simmons and community volunteers coordinated 13 sites and reported that initial counts of 4,646 plates rose to over 5,000 after late reports were added.

Organizers described donated funds and supplies that were redistributed among participating churches and community sites. The Community Unity Thanksgiving Committee and other partners collected cash and inventory donations (paper goods and other supplies) that leaders said will be available throughout the year for daily service providers such as the Breadbasket Freedom Center and Way of the Cross.

Speakers also urged continued collaboration on warming centers as cold weather approaches and asked the city and partner agencies to identify sites and funding to help people who are unhoused. Pastor Simmons invited council members to a planning meeting and asked the city to consider budget or discretionary support for ongoing shelter and services.

Mayor and council members praised volunteers, noted discretionary funding mechanisms and encouraged residents to support local charities and warming stations. The city emphasized that Etowah County Emergency Management now oversees warming-station activation and residents should contact the Etowah County Commission for details about locations and opening criteria.

The council commended organizers and encouraged continued coordination before and during cold-weather events.