Just before noon Monday, Liberty County Sheriff Steve Sikes and a handful of deputies began putting together Thanksgiving gift boxes in the sheriff’s office conference room to hand-deliver to families throughout Liberty County who otherwise may have gone without a holiday feast Thursday.

 Sikes said the need to provide meals, including a turkey and canned goods, to 50 families became apparent to deputies who patrol the streets and see firsthand what the community’s needs are. 

“My deputies come back to the office and tell us what they’ve seen and many of the homes they go to,” Sikes said.

Phone calls to various charitable agencies and help from area pastors also helped the sheriff pinpoint the families in need.

Sikes, who has been in office for nearly a year, said he wouldn’t have felt comfortable sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner with his family Thursday knowing there were many in the community who had nothing to eat.  

“For me to really enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, I knew I had to give back to those less fortunate,” he said. “After all, that’s what this season is all about — giving.” 

With contributions from members of the sheriff’s office and the help of local businesses, Sikes also provided the Manna House with 10 turkeys. 

Sikes said he hopes the food giveaway becomes an annual event.

“Hopefully, this is the beginning of something that will escalate and turn into something good one day. This is a good start,” he said.