Thursday, December 5, 2024
As Thanksgiving approaches, Granbury’s CenterPoint Church is preparing to brighten the holiday for local families with its annual initiative, Gobble Give.
Reservations can be made by calling or texting the church office, and the deadline is Nov. 7. Families can pick up their boxes Nov. 23 from 1 to 5 p.m.
The Gobble Give program, launched in 2019, provides families in need with everything they require for a traditional Thanksgiving meal, emphasizing togetherness and community spirit.
Pastor Kevin Spencer, leader of CenterPoint Church, explained the mission behind Gobble Give. “We wanted to package everything so that a family could go home and cook their Thanksgiving meal to enjoy as a family.”
Each Gobble Give box feeds up to six people and contains a whole turkey, stuffing mix, potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans, mac and cheese, rolls, cranberry sauce, fruit cocktail and brownie mix — everything needed for a festive feast and a chance to create holiday memories around the dinner table.
The initiative is designed to assist families struggling during the holiday season. “We ask people if they feel like they’re in need that year or know someone who could use the meal to reserve a box,” Spencer stated.
Over the years, Gobble Give has gained traction in the community. “The response has been encouraging,” Spencer shared. “As word spreads, we’ve seen a growing number of families participate each year.”
Community involvement is a vital part of the program. Local businesses, including HEB and Home Depot, have partnered with CenterPoint Church to support the initiative. “If someone wants to help partner with us and finance it or make a donation, that’s always accepted,” Spencer added.
Volunteers are always needed on distribution day, and interested individuals can contact the church office for more information.
Beyond providing meals, Gobble Give aims to create a supportive environment. Spencer noted that teams from the church are available to offer prayer and emotional support for those who seek it. “It’s primarily about meeting the physical need, but we’re also here for everything else,” he explained.
The church is also working to reach families with school-aged children. “We want to be more effective at getting the word out and ensuring that those who need help can access it,” Spencer said.
The impact of Gobble Give is evident in the gratitude expressed by families who have benefited from the program in the past. Spencer shared, “Every year, there’s always that one person that stands out. They come in on two wheels, and they had forgotten or didn’t have a way to get their box … all of their life circumstances seem to be going against them, and you’re able to help them.
“They’re so thankful. They’re so appreciative. They say, ‘Thank you,’ and you realize how much this means to them,” Spencer explains.
“There’s always that moment where you have a volunteer who says, ‘That was the one. If it was just one family that I came to do this for, that was the one.’”
These moments remind volunteers and church members of the difference they are making in the community.
FULL CIRCLE
“We have families that are here and attend now because of Gobble Give, or they came one year and received a box, and then they’ll call us and say, ‘Hey, when is Gobble Give?’” Spencer said.
“They often call to ask when Gobble Give is happening, excited to pay for a box or help out as volunteers. One person explained, ‘You guys helped me when I was in need, and now I want to make sure others get that same support,” he said. “It’s touching to see how someone can come full circle, moving from receiving help to giving it back, showing how much it means to them.”
Gobble Give provides food and fosters a sense of belonging and hope. Reserving a Thanksgiving box is a simple way for families in need to ensure they can gather during the holiday season and share a meal.
Interested families should contact CenterPoint Church before the Nov. 7 deadline to reserve their Gobble Give box.
Call the CenterPoint Church office at 817-964-7400 to reserve a box or email gobblegivetx@centerpointchurch.tv. Provide your first and last name, address, phone number and email address.
To reserve a box in person, visit the church at 2201 Commercial Lane, Granbury, and fill out the Gobble Give form in the church office or at these other locations: Afterschool America Resale, the Brazos Pregnancy Center or Mission Granbury.
