The Thanksgiving holiday is coming and several groups are collecting non-perishable food items to benefit the needy and homeless.

Columbia High School in Decatur is accepting monetary and toiletry donations for its second annual Feed the Hungry Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 22, and Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless is accepting money, toiletry and canned food for its 38th annual Thanksgiving dinner at Turner Field on Nov. 22.

Columbia High will feed 300 people from homeless shelters around the metro area at its 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. turkey dinner.

Shomari Zachary, who teaches 10th and 11th grades at the Decatur school, said the event will also include a clothes drive and three barbers will offer haircuts to the clients. He said they are also still in need of blankets, bags, soap and mouth wash.

Zachary said the students will prepare the meal.

"They are really excited," Zachary said. "They just want to do it. They make donations, set up, they are just involved as the faculty." For more information, call Shomari Zachary at 404-664-9761.

Hosea Feed the Hungry needs toiletry items, towels and wash cloths, canned food, clear plastic tubes, lids for clear plastic tubes, turkeys and disposable cutlery sets wrapped in a napkins for its annual Thanksgiving Dinner.

For more information or to donate, call Elisabeth Omilami at 404-755-3353, ext. 307.