A local organization is helping feed low income families this Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving a local organization is making sure thousands of families across South Florida have a warm meal s Heather Walker shows us how in this Spotlight Weeks ahead of Thanksgiving preparations for the largest meal delivery in South Florida were underway Packed inside these bags are mashed potatoes gravy stuffing and the majority of essential ingredient goodwill Isabelle Pike SVP of Advance at Branches On Thanksgiving morning we ll have over a thousand helpers come together to cook package and deliver over meals The meals are provided by a nonprofit called Branches The group is based out of North Miami and works with low income families to break through the poverty barrier Their Thanksgiving production is massive The goal is simple to make sure South Florida families who are struggling don t have to worry about what will be on the table this Thanksgiving Josechaba Dolcema They help me The kids are happy when I have Thanksgiving With eight children Josechaba Dolcema has a lot of mouths to feed And now the stress of figuring out how to do that has been taken off her shoulders Josechaba Dolcema When I receive the meal I am happy because it helps me with my family and my friends But these meals serve more than the families The helpers are also grateful for the chance to give back Hector Sanchez My wife and I longed to show our kids how to serve the population and they started very little when they were young teenagers and now they come and serve with their wives and their partners you know I m waiting for my granddaughter to come with us also The first year of the initiative they gave out Thanksgiving dinners Now years later they are giving out Brent McLaughlin CEO of Branches People have been so generous over the years that they keep getting more generous and want to give back And I think at Thanksgiving it s both giver and receiver that is favored It takes a village to pull it all together year after year But for the families who receive the meals and the people who volunteer it is a labor of love Heather Walker News If you know of a person place or group that you think we should highlight email us at spotlight wsvn com