On Christmas Day, the bounty of the season and its offerings will be shared with others during the eighth annual Share the Blessings.

Because of the economy and the state’s job market being "mired in a prolonged and painful economic downturn," according to State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, the coordinators of this community’s Share the Blessings expect greater participation in the hot meal and other services to be provided.

Being hosted at Winder-Barrow Middle School, Share the Blessings will include a hot meal, being served starting at 11 a.m., in addition to a boxed food distribution, a clothing ministry with winter jackets and coats donated through a drive at Anderson Merchandisers, health care including H1N1 flu shots and other service information also available until 2 p.m.

Albert Johnson, an originator of Share the Blessings and one of this year’s coordinators, anticipates a thousand meals will be served at Share the Blessings. Some of the meals will be delivered to homebound citizens.

Volunteers will assist with meal delivery as well as food preparation and setup. Individuals wishing to donate time on Christmas Day can arrive at 8 a.m. or contact Cassandra Harris for more information about helping.

"We still need volunteers," said Johnson. Last year, 200 people volunteered their time prior to and during the Share the Blessings’ Christmas Day occasion.

A total of 787 meals were provided at the 2008 Share the Blessings as the participation has increased.

Donations for Share the Blessings are down from past years, and organizers were still collecting donations on Tuesday.

"We need toys for kids, clothing and canned goods for the boxes of food we’ll send home with those who come," said Johnson. "The canned food has been the slowest thing coming in right now."

To make a donation of canned food, clothing, toys or other items including monetary donations to be used to support the event, contact Cassandra Harris at (770) 725-8159 or e-mail sharetheblessings@hotmail.com or cassandraharris@windstream.net.

Donations can also be dropped off at Winder-Barrow Middle School on Christmas Day beginning at 8 a.m.

Winder-Barrow Middle School is located at 163 King St., in Winder, at the corner of New Street.