As the holiday season approaches, many households turn their thoughts to family gatherings and festive meals. But for more than 1.4 million Georgians facing food insecurity, the holidays can bring more stress than celebration. In Rex, Georgia, one community church is stepping in to make a difference. The local church will host its Seventh Annual Turkey Drive, an event that brings both nourishment and hope to struggling families.

This tradition isn’t just about distributing turkeys — it’s about building community and restoring dignity. Every year, volunteers gather at the church to assemble donation kits complete with turkeys and other essentials for a traditional Thanksgiving meal. What started as a small outreach effort has now grown into a vital support system for those living paycheck-to-paycheck or experiencing a temporary crisis.

The persistence of hunger in the state, where one in eight residents faces food insecurity, raises serious questions about economic disparity and access to basic necessities. Events like the Rex Church Turkey Drive highlight the gaps left by policy and underline the importance of local intervention. It’s a sobering reminder that beneath the surface of everyday life, many in our communities are struggling just to put food on the table.

From my own point of view, the Turkey Drive demonstrates the real power of grassroots action. While government programs play an important role, it’s often community organizations that step in fastest and most compassionately when people are in need. Initiatives like this not only provide meals but also foster relationships, empathy, and awareness about the hidden hardships in our neighborhoods.

In a season that so often emphasizes gratitude, the Rex Church Turkey Drive serves as both a blessing for recipients and a call to action for the rest of us. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, everyone has an opportunity to be part of the solution. As hunger continues to affect millions, efforts like this remind us of the change we can create when we come together—one turkey at a time.