The center, located at 119 A Street in Lenoir City, was a bee hive of activity on Monday as volunteers filled boxes with complete Thanksgiving meals and helped families carry their groceries to their cars. Despite assembling over 600 meals, up from 425 last year, the center still needs to help pay for all those birds and the fixings. 

"We still looking for donations," said Paula Roach, executive director of the center. 

Volunteer Karen Brunnel, who was on hand helping assemble the food boxes, said each box contains not only a turkey but dressing, vegetables, cranberry sauce, a pie, bread rolls, gravy and even a baking pan to make sure each family will have what they need for their feasts. The meals are assembled for families of two or three, three or four, five and six or seven or more so families large and small will be set. 

Despite the effort so far, there are still more families in need and the represenatives from the center said they plan to help families right up to Thanksgiving Day and beyond. 

Judy Howell, director of client services at the center, said there is still a waiting list of people who want a Thanksgiving basket. Roach noted that many of the people being helped are those she termed the "working hungry" - people who have jobs and pay their bills but come up a little short on groceries during a normal week.  

Putting together a big meal for Thanksgiving would be impossible for them without a little help from their friends and neighbors. That's where the Good Samaritan Center comes in by getting those willing to donate their time and money together with those in need. 

Roach stressed even if Thanksgiving has passed, there is still Christmas to think about and the center will once again be doing everything they can to help Loudon County families in need make it through the holidays. 

She also said she wants to remind donors that when the holidays are over, the need for services will go on. In light of the poor economy, more families than ever are turning to the center to make ends meet. In addition to food, the center helps families who qualify with utility bills, clothes, medical expenses and furniture.

"We want to thank everyone who so generously donated to the turkey drive," Roach said, adding the center has expanded its hours to better help those in need. 

The Good Samaritan Center is now open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The center has also expanded its hours on Thursdays and will be open 3:30  to 6:30 p.m.

The Good Samaritan Center is always looking for volunteers and money to help them help in their mission to lead a helping hand to those Loudon County citizens in need all year round.  To those people who volunteer their time or money to the cause, Roach gives her heartfelt thanks. 

"We couldn't do it without them," she said. 

For more information on how to volunteer or donate call the center at 986-1777 or visit them on-line at www.goodsamloudoncounty.org.