Wednesday at Tifton’s Soup Kitchen in Neighborhood Service Center on South Central Avenue, men, women and children were served a lunch of soup, salad, peaches and iced tea. Director Betty Willis said the kitchen now serves an average of 177 meals each day. Beckham said that 39,600 meals were served in the kitchen last year and that 581 people were served last year through Literacy Volunteers of America in their quest to earn their GEDs.

“That’s 581 families that will be changed,” Beckham said.

Beckham said Santa’s Helpers served 2,090 children last year who would not have had a Christmas otherwise.

“We aren’t trying to raise money for some random, empty bank account,” Beckham said. “Every $100 makes a huge difference.”

To contact the United Way of South Central Georgia, call 382-2881.

To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.