By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
The Blue Cow feeds feast to 300 in need
Williamses give thanks by giving back for third year
1125cow4
Sherry Martin, left, hands Sandra Mitchell a straw at The Blue Cow in Lula Thursday morning. Martin joined other volunteers and the business owners Tim and Harriett Williams in helping to feed hundreds on Thanksgiving.

While many were enjoying a Thanksgiving feast with relatives Thursday, the owners of a family business in Lula spent the day giving that feast to about 300 in need.

Tim Williams and his wife, Harriett, put on their aprons and cooked, and for much of the afternoon, lines of people stretched from the entrance of the couple's Lula bakery, The Blue Cow, all the way to the edge of Main Street.

"We're just reaching out to the community," Tim Williams said.

This is the third year the Williamses have taken it upon themselves to feed people on the traditional day to give thanks for a good harvest. And this is the first year they have fed 300 people at a single location.

"We've done 300 before, but we've had five different locations, and this year we thought we would just focus on Lula," Williams said.

They provide meals at other times of the year, too. Those meals are usually funded by the Williamses.

"This year, without any asking, donations have come in from customers and fellow workers that are Christians," Williams said "... and they just felt led to donate, so we've been able to do more this year because of that."

Volunteers put their fortunes aside and helped those less fortunate to "glorify God," Williams said.

The Williamses weren't the only volunteers Thursday assisting in the charitable cause. Friends of the couple, church members and co-workers also donated their time.

"I know I'm blessed and I want to try to bless everybody I can," said Danny Day of Lula. "I know a lot of people are struggling right now, and I'm not really struggling as hard as a lot of people. It just makes me feel like I need to be out here because God wants me out here to help."

And those who came for the meal were thankful.

"Everybody is struggling. They're out of work," said John Cosper of Lula, who rounded up bags of meals to bring back to family and friends.

After suffering two strokes recently, Sherrie Virgo found it difficult to prepare her own Thanksgiving meal. So when her boss told her about meals being offered at The Blue Cow, she found it to be the perfect opportunity.

"I think it's a very nice thing. It's very sweet, especially on Thanksgiving, giving their time to do this," Virgo said.