TUPELO - Haven Acres will get a head start on Thanksgiving with a free community meal for 1,600 people Sunday.

The neighborhood association is organizing the second annual event along with several churches: Mount Sinai Baptist, Morning Star MB, Shammach Church of God in Christ and The Orchard.

Meals will be provided from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Haven Acres Community Center on Willie Moore Road and the public is welcome to attend. Hot plates also will be delivered to those in the community unable to drive or leave their homes.

"The food is great, but the fellowship is our goal," said Mattie Mabry, a Haven Acres Neighborhood Association member.

Mabry said the event began as a simple meal to encourage conversation among neighbors and the churches who support them. But it quickly grew into a community effort to nourish the needy.

Last year's organizers had anticipated feeding about 500 people, but the event was so successful that 1,200 came. So this year, they're planning for an additional 400 just to be safe.

"Our first goal was to do something for shut-ins in the neighborhood, and then it just grew," said Willie Jennings, an active neighborhood association member and Ward 7 City Council member. "It's a community effort to give back."

Churches are providing the turkeys and their members are preparing casseroles, purchasing beverages and assembling other necessary items for the meals.

The Orchard previously had its own Thanksgiving effort called Feed The Hungry but last year decided to combine it with Haven Acres, said Missions Director Robbyn Abedi.

"Our goal is to come out and say we want help what you're doing and empower you," Abedi said. "We want to be intentional by raising you up."

But even Abedi was surprised at the overwhelming response to the free meals. He said he anticipates an even bigger turnout this year.

"There is a great need," Mabry said, "in the entire city."

Contact Emily Le Coz at (662) 678-1588 or emily.lecoz@djournal.com.

If you know someone in the Tupelo area who needs a hot meal Sunday, call Haven Acres at (661) 841-5078.

COMING SUNDAY in the NEMS Daily Journal newspaper: Holidays bring opportunities to give and, for those in need, to receive.