The kitchen at T.W. Josey High School was a flurry of activity Monday.
Mary Oliver cut pounds of turkey while Cynthia Walker turned trays of cornbread into dressing and Tonya Owens sliced cakes and placed the portions into individual plastic bags – all in preparation for the 15th annual “Feed the Community” event, which will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at the school.
Shonta Bradley brought together family members and some of her T.W. Josey alumni for the first event which fed about 200 people. She’s planning for 4,500 people this year.
Bradley, a social worker by profession, had lived in Atlanta for a year and volunteered there for the Hosea Feed the Hungry event which she said blew her mind. Held at the World Congress Center, it served tens of thousands of people.
Bradley’s “Feed the Community” is a grassroots effort. She asks for donations from individuals and area businesses. Some give $5; some give more. She spearheads buying the food and then the volunteers come together to start cooking.
They put in long hours, said Darlene Dickerson, Bradley’s sister and the manager of the food program at Josey.
Prep work began Friday with cooking commencing early Saturday and going about 12 hours a day for three days. Even on the day of, people bring in frozen turkeys, which they thaw and bake, Dickerson said.
About 40 turkeys and 15 or more hams were baked as part of the feast that includes macaroni and cheese, green beans, dressing, dessert and bread.
And it’s not just for those in need or the homeless. It’s for the entire community, Dickerson said. Sometimes, employees from the nearby hospital district come by and take part in the meal.
Bradley said the days are exhausting.
“On the day of, all that tired goes away, and it’s so worth it,” she said.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News, has covered Augusta’s news for 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
