This Thursday, The Giving Heart will host its annual Community Thanksgiving Feast at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, offering Richmond area residents free meals, clothing and other essential assistance.

The Feast will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, offering traditional and vegetarian meals along with clothes, blankets and personal care items while supplies last.

This will be the 19th year the feast has been held, with initial events serving around a thousand and more recent feasts attracting 5,000 people in need, according to the group. The Giving Heart is looking to “be a beacon of light and a blessing of labors of love” during the feast and the holiday, according to Executive Director Sandra Antoine.

In previous years, Giving Heart’s efforts had been bolstered by a wide range of community and corporate sponsorships. The impact of COVID-19, however, has had an effect on their preparation efforts, according to Antoine.

Antoine said Giving Heart also has depended this year on community appeals and support to fundraise, as well as “personal investments to achieve their goals and missions.”

Despite the rigor needed to support their work, Antoine’s mood heading into the feast is upbeat, and she eagerly awaits the opportunity to again help others.

“I’m always excited knowing that we can bring a sense of joy to any and everyone with whom we cross paths,” Antoine said, “and we are blessed to share our love for the community through our gestures of volunteer services.”

People looking to contribute to the event can donate clothing, outerwear, blankets and toiletries until Wednesday, Nov. 27, at noon. Those interested in free curbside meals can sign up at thegivingheart.org.