SUMMERTON, S.C. — A Clarendon County family is serving their community while keeping a legacy alive. The Bennett family has been hosting a Thanksgiving meal for their community for the past eight years.
For Maggie Bennett, it's "just the smile on the face" of residents that keeps them coming back to serve each year.
"We love doing what we're doing: feeding the community," Bennett said. "Seeing those people come in line to get that food, it makes me feel good."
The tradition started in 2014 when Bennett’s husband said he felt God calling him to serve. After he passed away in 2019, his family is keeping his legacy alive.
"It’s everything that he’s not here," his son Hakeem shared. "Somebody has to pick up the torch, take the mantle and live it out for him. So that’s what we’re here to do now."
The family has worked together to buy, prepare and cook the thanksgiving meal, which they’re passing out to Summerton residents like Samuel Green.
"I enjoy it 'cuz it’s a blessing," Green said.
A blessing of food and friendship, Jason Robinson tells me.
"They’re saying that even it’s Thanksgiving, you’re supposed to be with family, everyone should have a meal and that’s what they’re doing out here today," Robinson said. "They try to give back to this community the best way that they can and I honestly appreciate it."
Sharing that love is the goal.
"So often you think about the world right now and people want for themselves," Hakeem explained. "But for us to be able to give to other people means a lot to me."
Bennett says she prepares enough food for at least one hundred people, and tries her best to keep it all warm for everyone who stops by.
Only got four hours of sleep
I was just wondering how in the world we supposed to feed the community on thanksgiving day along with my own family
Seeing those people come in line to get that food, it makes me feel good
We love doing what we doing: feeding the community
Some of them may not even have a thanksgiving dinner, but here it go. We provide for those families
Just the smile on the face
I’m not the person to judge and I don’t know no one’s pockets. Just because you look like you maybe have it, you may not
When we came out, there was already a couple out here waiting on us
Samuel green:
I enjoy it cuz it’s a blessing
Jason robinson:
They try to give back to this community the best way that they can and I honestly appreciate it
They’re saying that even it’s thanksgiving, you’re supposed to be with family, everyone should have a meal and that’s what they’re doing out here today
Hakeem bennett:
For us to start so little feeding maybe what about 25-50 people to now trying to do 100+. It’s amazing
It’s wonderful. They ask every year ‘yall are gonna be out there right? Yall are gonna be out there right?’ asking for like green beans or the macaroni and cheese. They love it.
So often you think about the world right now and people want for themselves. But for us to be able to give to other people means a lot to me
It’s everything that he’s not here. Somebody has to pick up the torch, take the mantle,and live it out for him. So that’s what we’re here to do now