Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away, and Chattooga County families are being encouraged to begin preparing now for holiday meals and gatherings. With Thanksgiving falling on Thursday, November 26, residents have 12 days to make plans, shop for groceries and prepare for family celebrations.

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service offers guidance on holiday meal preparation and food safety. Families can begin by deciding how many people they will serve, planning a menu and making a grocery list. Purchasing nonperishable ingredients early can help avoid crowded stores and last-minute shopping.

Those planning to serve turkey should allow enough time for safe thawing. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends approximately 24 hours of refrigerator thawing for every four to five pounds of frozen turkey. A 16-pound turkey, for example, may require four days to thaw.

Turkey should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees, checked with a food thermometer, and perishable leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours.

Residents with questions about food preparation, safe cooking temperatures or food preservation can contact the Chattooga County Extension Office at 706-857-0744. The office is located at 40 Middle School Road in Summerville.

Meanwhile, several Chattooga County churches and community organizations are helping residents prepare for Thanksgiving through free meals and holiday food distributions.

Today, Saturday, November 14, the Community Resource Center of Chattooga County and Three Circles Foundation are hosting a free Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center. The meal will be served from noon until 3 PM and is open to everyone.

Next Thursday, November 19, Chattooga Family Connection will hold its 10th Annual Home for the Holidays Free Food Distribution at the Community Resource Center, located at 50 Eleanor Avenue in Summerville. The drive-through event will run from 1 until 3 PM, with turkey breasts, canned goods, fresh produce and community resource information available to local residents. For information or to contribute, call 706-857-7917.

West Berryton Faith Temple Holiness Church is also preparing for its annual Community Thanksgiving Outreach. The church will distribute Thanksgiving meal boxes on Saturday, November 21, beginning at 10 AM at the Chattooga County Tag Office in Summerville.

The distribution will be conducted as a drive-through pickup, with vehicles lining up along West Washington Street in front of the Tag Office. The food boxes are intended to provide a Thanksgiving meal that families can take home and prepare.

The church is also inviting residents and businesses to participate in its Adopt-A-Box program. A $20 donation sponsors a Thanksgiving meal for a family of four. Contributions can be made through Venmo at @WBFTHC, or by cash or check payable to West Berryton Faith Temple Holiness Church.

The Community Resource Center also provides ongoing grocery assistance to local households throughout the year.

Along with taking advantage of local food assistance programs, families can use the coming days to check kitchen equipment, prepare appropriate dishes ahead of time and coordinate travel and holiday gathering arrangements.

With Thanksgiving approaching, early preparation and the efforts of local churches and community organizations can help more Chattooga County families enjoy the holiday.