PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – As Thanksgiving approaches, local organizations are helping those in the community who need it most. Sally Sparks is a Panama City resident who started An Angel’s Food Pantry 15 years ago and delivers bags of food to people in need. She has helped feed approximately 500 families each year since starting her pantry.

“Usually I get about four or five turkeys per family, depending on the family; I did about five families for Thanksgiving, I have one more today, and then Christmas, I’ll do it again,” Sparks said.

She delivers bags of food to about 10 families Mondays and Fridays during the week, and those in need can call her at 850-814-2488.

The Salvation Army is another local organization that feeds the community. They distribute bags and boxes of food to people Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. With Thanksgiving and schools closing this week, they’ve been overwhelmed the last few days.

“A lot of them are coming this week only, just for Thanksgiving; we’re the ones providing them with their Thanksgiving meal,” said Shae Wellsthomas, Salvation Army social services coordinator.

The community’s food needs are so great that they are already running out of food to distribute. They are therefore asking for generous donations from the community to continue to provide for the needs of others.

“This is something we desperately need right now, so anything the community can do to help us continue to provide services,” Wellsthomas said.

People can donate non-perishable items by dropping them off at the Salvation Army office on 15th Street or by calling 850-769-5259, option 2.

The Salvation Army typically distributes three days of food, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also distribute 20 bags of food every day to families, and those in need can receive them once a month.

“It’s always a blessing to be able to help someone in need; I think that’s the most important thing about working for the Salvation Army is that you feel good every day because you know that you are really helping people who are in need. , and we just think about what would happen if you weren’t there, “Wellsthomas said.

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