In good times and in bad, Larry “Blue” Neal has been making sure that the less fortunate have a hot Christmas dinner — and that continues this year.
The dinner of chicken, dressing, vegetables and a soft drink can be delivered on Christmas Day anywhere in Leflore County.
“All they have to do is call — even on Christmas,” said Neal, a Greenwood businessman and former Leflore County Justice Court judge.
In addition, dinners will be served at Neal’s home at 712 Ave. I beginning at 11:10 a.m. Sunday.
Serving will conclude at 1 p.m.
Neal said this is the 26th year of providing dinners to the elderly, the disabled and the homeless.
“It’s just saying ‘thank you’ to the community,” he said.
It all started with Neal’s mother, Mabel Neal, and her sisters.
“Around the middle part of the ’80s, they had a survey done in Mississippi, which said hunger existed in the Delta. We thought, ‘What could we do to help people?’ Neal said.
“Nobody in Greenwood has to be hungry on Christmas Day,” he said.
Neal said typically between 50 and 100 dinners are prepared by a small group of seasoned volunteers.
The volunteers, including veterans Carrie Jones, Charles Flowers, Cheryl Neal and Sylvester Cochran, make the annual dinner possible, he said.
Neal said the effort is satisfying for all those involved.
He said the dinner will go on no matter what.
“We’re going to have the food ready,” Neal said.
For more information, call Neal at 455-7215 or 897-4758.
• Contact Bob Darden at bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
