This week, I was reminded that the real heart of Thanksgiving isn’t found on a table—it’s found in giving something of yourself to someone who needs it.

I didn’t expect one day in a soup kitchen to change me, but it revealed a joy I didn’t even realize I was missing. And in that moment, I understood what farmers and ranchers have always known: the best harvest in life comes from what you give.

For our Thanksgiving edition of Feasting on Ag, I teamed up with Jonathon Willard, the Farm Bureau Agency Manager for Concordia, Catahoula, and Tensas Parishes, along with the Adams County Farm Bureau, to give back to a place truly changing lives: the Natchez Stewpot. This incredible soup kitchen has been feeding the neediest residents of the Miss-Lou region for more than 41 years, offering far more than a hot meal—offering dignity, comfort, and a sense of belonging.

Every year, the Stewpot asks volunteers to cook and slice turkeys for their Thanksgiving meals. So my husband and I picked up two turkeys, roasted them in our own kitchen, and delivered them—along with bags of sliced meat ready for distribution.

Farm Bureau members stepped up in a big way too, donating 75 pounds of Louisiana rice, canned goods, and all the staples that make a holiday meal complete.

I also wanted to bring something personal to the table, so I hauled in the leftover pumpkins from my pumpkin patch and baked enough pumpkin bread to feed 350 people. It might be the most pumpkin bread I’ll make in my lifetime—but knowing who it was for made every minute worth it.

A Community in Need

It doesn’t take long in Natchez to understand just how vital the Stewpot is. Across the Miss-Lou region, the need is real and growing:

More than 30% of residents in the Natchez micropolitan area live in poverty.
In Adams County, MS, poverty stands at 28.2%.
Across the river, Concordia and Tensas Parishes also exceed 30% poverty.
ALICE data shows many families are the “working poor”—employed but unable to afford basic necessities.

These statistics also mirror what’s happening nationwide:

In 2023, 13.5% of U.S. households—18 million families—experienced food insecurity.
47.4 million Americans, including 13.8 million children, lived in food-insecure households.
Food insecurity rose 6% nationwide in a single year.
In 2024, nearly 1 in 5 adults reported receiving free groceries or meals.

Behind every statistic is a face, a story, and a very real need.

During my time inside the Stewpot, I met the heart and soul of the operation: Ms. Johnny. She has been doing this work for more than 40 years, and let me tell you—she is a force. She taught me how to properly carve turkey (I’m still learning!) and shared how meals are organized and delivered.

Executive Director Beverly Adams explained how essential the Stewpot is—not just to Adams County, but to the entire region. She described the challenges they faced earlier this year when cuts to major food programs left their freezers empty. Even then, they never stopped serving.

The Stewpot now prepares 350–400 meals every single day, with 200 of those meals delivered directly to homebound residents. And it all happens thanks to the generosity of churches, volunteers, civic groups, farmers, and organizations like Farm Bureau.

The Mission of Giving

When I asked Jonathon why Farm Bureau gets involved in efforts like this, he said:

“Giving back is a big part of what we do. This is the season to serve the community.”

If anyone knows what it means to feed people, it’s Farm Bureau members—it’s woven into the very fabric of agriculture. But sometimes, the most meaningful harvest comes not from what we grow, but from how we show up for our neighbors. That’s why the Stewpot kitchen felt like home: a place where food and compassion are served side by side.

I cannot adequately express my gratitude to Jonathon, his team, and the crew from Adams County Farm Bureau for showing up and giving their time and resources so generously.

This was my first visit to the Natchez Stewpot, but it certainly won’t be my last. There is something deeply humbling about preparing food for people you may never meet and serving meals to faces full of gratitude. It reminded me that community isn’t just a place—it’s something we do.

If you have a soup kitchen or food pantry in your community, I encourage you to get involved however you can:

Donate food.
Volunteer your time.
Offer support or resources.

The need is great—but so is the good we can do when we show up for one another.

And this Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for the reminder that the best blessings in life are the ones we give away.

Give back in your area

Find local Louisiana Food Assistance Programs
Find a food bank near you
Visit the Natchez Stewpot
Follow the Natchez Stewpot on Facebook
Learn more about Feeding Louisiana