A group of residents worked together this week to prepare Thanksgiving meals for dozens of local senior citizens. Sirretha Maxwell, director of a nonprofit named Life by the Book Outreach Ministry, said they have packaged meals for local seniors for 10 years.

“My ministry is for anyone, but my heart is for the elderly because they are the missed population,” Maxwell said.  “Everybody does everything else for mothers with children and that type of thing, but the elderly are alone and are forgotten sometimes. So, I focus on them.”

The dinner boxes included a whole chicken, dressing, rolls, cranberries, sweet tea and pies among other items.

“We visit nursing homes, retirement homes, hospitals,” Maxwell said. “We do whatever we can.”

Maxwell said while they are working in nonprofit certification, they have paid for the meals out of pocket every year. She said this year she received donations from Walmart, Kroger, Publix and Sunflower Apparel.

In addition to packing and delivering Thanksgiving meals, Maxwell said they also give fruit baskets for Christmas, Valentine’s Day cards and candy and celebrate the elderly’s birthdays.

“No one should feel alone on Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Maxwell said

Maxwell said her favorite part of making and delivering the meal boxes is seeing the smiles on people’s faces.

“A lot of elderly live alone, and they don’t have family,” Maxwell said. “They’re just there. I met a lady earlier today, she was in the grocery store, and she was buying a chicken and some dressing at Piggly Wiggly. I asked her where did she live, and she told me she lives alone. I told her to put the food back, and I’ll bring her a box.”

Anyone who wishes to donate or get involved with the nonprofit can contact Maxwell at lbtb2011@hotmail or call (706) 443-8827.