NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — ‘Tis the season of giving back, and a group of Norfolk residents is sharing that spirit.

It started six years ago with a group giving out goody bags.  Last year, they fed more than 100 people on Thanksgiving. This year, they are teaming up with local businesses to feed as many people as possible on Thursday.  However, they hope it doesn’t end there.

“It just excites me to see that people actually care,” said Andra Rosenberg, one of the organizers of Help NKF Homeless 2018 at O’Connor Brewing Company.

The organizers hope to help their neighbors in need through food and conversation. 

“We get together for movies and we get together for parades and block parties, so I figured that taking all that, putting that energy into other things, it’s soul food for us. It really helps everyone,” Rosenberg said. “I think that we have plenty of people that want to help, but they don’t know how to or maybe they’re not sure how to approach some of our neighbors in need.”

At 9 o’clock Thanksgiving morning, volunteers will gather at O’Connor Brewing Company in Norfolk to create meals for people in need.

“Why not? I have the space for it. Everybody is off that day,” said O’Connor Brewing Company founder Kevin O’Connor. “It allows us and some of the other staff in here to participate and it’s Thanksgiving, so why not?”

O’Connor knows the people behind the event, and knows the need in the community.

He said, “I’m born and raised in Norfolk. In this particular situation, homelessness is a real thing.”

Anyone in need can stop by around noon and pick up a full Thanksgiving meal and hopefully talk to each other.

“Let’s help our neighbors, but then learn about who the people are in the community,” Rosenberg said.  “Like I said before, it’s not just for today.  This is kind of like a gateway for people in the community to figure out other resources that exist year-round.” 

If you’d like to get involved, you can reach out to Volunteer Hampton Roads or find the event on Facebook.

The brewery is located at 211 West 24th St., Norfolk, VA 23517.