ABC News Today

Gulfport High School alumni and now Auburn University football player Derick Hall is hosting its inaugural food giveaway.

It takes a village to feed almost 300 Gulfport residents. From local officials, law enforcement, volunteers, business owners, non-profits and many, many more, including the family of former Gulfport football player Derick Hall, who is hosting the inaugural raffle by Derick Hall Turkey Giveaway.

As early as 1 p.m., residents began lining up in their cars to receive a free Thanksgiving turkey. At 4 p.m., a prayer started the opening ceremony and the line of more than 200 cars began to roll.

The turkey raffle gave away 290 whole turkeys, as well as canned vegetables and dessert cakes.

Derick’s mother, Stacy Crandle, knows how important it is to give to families in need. “We know how food insecurity affects families and just being able to provide a meal to 278 families for Thanksgiving means the world to my family and we are so grateful to be able to do this.”

Volunteers came together to make it happen, including the Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Dad’s Super Pawn, the Gulfport Police and Fire Departments, Extend a Hand, Help a Friend, the County Constable of Harrison and other local businesses and churches. Representative Jeffrey Hulum III said, “We care about partnering and bringing people together because we’re not complete if one person is left out.”

A food drop will arrive in Moss Point on November 16th^th at 11 o’clock Moss Point Town Hall. A Harrison County food drive is scheduled for Tuesday, November 22nd^n.d at 11 a.m. at the Good Deeds Community Center in Gulfport.