CLAY COUNTY—Last year, some waited hours in line along Parsonage Street at First Baptist Church Middleburg to get a box filled with enough food to feed a family of five on Thanksgiving.

The gesture was more significant than a free turkey, cranberry sauce, two cans of green beans, a box of instant mashed potatoes, a box of stuffing mix and a whole pie. It was a reminder that their neighbors still cared, that they weren’t forgotten, and, most importantly, that all they needed to do was reach out to find spiritual guidance and other helpful assistance.

This is the eighth year the Middleburg church has participated in the Feeding 5,000 program. They will distribute 1,000 food boxes in a drive-through program at the church. The name was derived since each box can feed five.

Larger families can receive more than one box.

A year ago, some families said they would go hungry during the holiday season without the thoughtfulness of several organizations.

Here is a list of other Thanksgiving distributions planned throughout the county:

Feeding 5,000, First Baptist Middleburg

Nov. 23, 10 a.m. at Clay High, Green Cove Springs; noon at First Baptist Middleburg

Families in the community need a Thanksgiving meal and are welcome to drive through the campus to receive a prayer and a meal box that can feed a family of five to the first 1,000 families. Each box will contain cranberry sauce, two cans of green beans, a bag of instant potatoes, a box to make stuffing, a whole pie and a frozen turkey. Families can stage in the front lot at 10 a.m. at Clay High. First Baptist Church of Middleburg has a campus, Family Church Green Cove, at the school’s cafeteria on Sundays, and it expanded its distribution to the school this year. This is the eighth year the church has been giving away food boxes to meet the nutritional and spiritual needs of the community.

Feast of Plenty, The Springs Church in Orange Park

Nov. 28, noon to 2 p.m.

Four churches united last year on Thanksgiving Day for the common good, ensuring nobody was alone, and everyone was fed.

The Springs Church, First Baptist Church of Orange Park, Celebration Church and St. James AME Zion Church have continued collaborating on the annual Feast of Plenty.

The luncheon will be hosted at The Springs Church in Orange Park. Everyone is welcome at this free lunch, where they will be served wholesome cooked meals. There is room for the hungry, those who are alone and anyone who's simply looking to do something different on this great American holiday. Doors will open on Thanksgiving Day, with 500 lunches being served, starting at noon and ending at 2 p.m. Attendees will arrive, find a seat at a table and be greeted by our team of volunteer servers.

Others also can pick up meals in a drive-through around the church.

Mission of the Dirt Road RagTag Thanksgiving

Nov. 24, 11 a.m.

The event at 7790 State Road 100 in Keystone Heights is for everyone who is looking to celebrate and give thanks with a group of people who might not have it all together, have more questions than answers, are wobbly and weak-kneed scalawags but who also know that there are many reasons to give thanks. Come by yourself or bring a crowd with you. Either way, you’re welcome. They will serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal with conversation, tell stories and laugh, hang out and enjoy each other's company. They will serve turkey, and you are welcome, but not required, to bring your favorite side dish. There is no cost for the meal or activities.

Mercy Support Services Fall Outreach Thanksgiving bags

Nov. 23, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Saved 2 Serve, Seeds of Love and Dignity Impact Outreach are having a Fall Outreach at Tanglewood Park, 2680 Gifford Ave. in Orange Park, to bring much-needed blessings and grateful memories to families of Clay County in tangible ways by providing necessary items for Thanksgiving dinner. They will be distributing Thanksgiving Meal Bags while supplies last. There will be games for children and face painting. Seeds of Love will have the spin wheel going for prize giveaways. A BBQ lunch will be served off the grill, and a grocery distribution will be available to anyone in need.

Salvation Army Thanksgiving distribution

Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to noon

The Clay County headquarters, 2795 County Road 220, in Middleburg, will once again offer free turkeys and an assortment of side dishes to community members as long as supplies last. Then, following Sunday services at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25, residents will be served a free Thanksgiving Banquet at the headquarters. The events allow residents to connect with other social and spiritual services provided by the Salvation Army and other nonprofit groups, including food pantries, fighting human trafficking, summer camps, rent, mortgage and utility assistance, homeless shelters, job training, veterans services and after-school programs.