James Farrior knows what it means to gather around the table and have Thanksgiving dinner. He understands the importance of being with family that day, the love that is shared, and the joy it brings to everyone.
Farrior also knows not everyone is fortunate enough to have the means to provide that dinner, which is why through the James Farrior Foundation he is providing Thanksgiving dinner for 300 families in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia.
"It's a good feeling to know you can help people out in that type of way," said Farrior. "I know growing up I never missed a Thanksgiving meal, I always had a hot meal on my table. I want to try and provide that to anybody that is less fortunate than me that needs help in that area. I try to give out as many turkey dinners as I can."
The foundation identifies needy families who are provided with an entire Thanksgiving dinner – including turkey, potatoes, rolls, stuffing, vegetables, macaroni and cheese and more.
"We have a lot of underprivileged families and kids we try to work with and identify in the early step of the process," said Farrior. "There are a lot of people unemployed, struggling. I am just trying to do my part.
"In this time of need, when unemployment is high, you want to try to support the community as much as you can."
The food is distributed to the families in advance so they are able to prepare it on Thanksgiving Day, enjoying the simple pleasures so many others will that day.
"Being where I am from there are not a lot of successful people to go out and do these kinds of things and give to the community," said Farrior. "It's important for me to give back to the kids and those less fortunate and give back as much as I can."
Farrior will also be helping out at Christmas, providing winter coats for 300 kids through the foundation's "Coats at Christmas" program.
"You take it for granted that everyone has a coat and is warm for the cold season," said Farrior. "We look forward to that, giving out coats for kids that don't have coats. It's a minor thing but in the big scheme of things it's a big thing for a lot of young people."
