U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-AL, donated turkeys to the 68 laid-off Selma city employees on Tuesday at Historic Brown Chapel AME Church.

The Brown Chapel’s food committee donated the rest of the food, including cranberries, lettuce, spinach and canned goods.

Joyce O’Neal, who co-chairs the food committee with Nancy Sewell, said the church was honored to help with the food drive.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing, there are people who need our assistance,” O’Neal said. “We were happy to help.”

“It’s unfortunate that the city workers were laid off during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays,” Nancy Sewell said. “We wanted to help them out.”

Brown Chapel Pastor Rev. Leodis Strong thanked Rep. Sewell for her assistance and various organizations.

“It couldn’t have been done without Congresswoman Sewell,” Strong said. “She has a great heart and is always looking out for Selma and people in need.  The good people of this church and the Selma Center for Non-Violence also helped.”

Terri Maul said the food drive showed the generosity of Brown Chapel and local organizations.

“I feel that it’s a pretty positive thing they’re doing here,” Maul said. “The food drive is really a good cause.”

Several students from Georgia Southern University volunteered as part of the school’s Alternate Breaks program.

“This is our first service program of the year,” said Katie-Anne Arnoldly, the group’s program leader.

“It’s really nice to help people out who aren’t as fortunate as we are,” Georgia Southern student Christian Hicks said.

Selma City Councilmen Michael Johnson and John Leashore also volunteered their services with the food drive.