The Thanksgiving season is a time for counting blessings, and there are few better ways to recognize just how blessed you are than to find a way to bless someone who is less fortunate. Nothing puts our own lives into perspective quite like stepping in to help improve the lives of others.

Folks in Suffolk have a long history of helping their neighbors all year long, but Thanksgiving in Suffolk is a celebration not just of the things that make our own lives better, but also of what we can do to spread holiday cheer and goodwill to our neighbors.

This year, three major events — and some smaller ones, as well — have been planned to bless the less fortunate and, by extension, the people who will be working on their behalf.

Two local food giveaways will kick off the Thanksgiving giving season.

Impact Suffolk, a coalition of churches and faith-based organizations will hold its 15th food giveaway from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Nov. 23. The event is first-come, first-served, and churches will hand out corn, green beans, stuffing, peas, sweet potatoes, collards and other miscellaneous items. A limited supply of meat is also available.

That same day, for the 10th year, local businessman LeOtis Williams and a legion of volunteers will give away 2,000 turkeys, along with 150 bushels of collards, 100 bushels of cabbage and 150 bushels of sweet potatoes at Williams’ lawn service warehouse on Old East Pinner Street. He sent vouchers to churches, civic leagues and other organizations to hand out to people in need. Those who hold vouchers will get food from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and leftovers, if any, will be available for the general public beginning at 1:30 p.m.

The Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk and local churches will be sponsoring a meal for all who do not have food or anyone with whom to share Thanksgiving Day. The meal will be served at the new Salvation Army building on Bank Street, with a shuttle running back and forth from Liberty Baptist Church, where clothing and blankets will be distributed to those who need them. To sign up for the meal or to volunteer, call 539-9182 by Nov. 21. Donations will also be accepted to help defray the cost to Mercy Chefs.

Three local churches also are holding their own Thanksgiving dinners. Metropolitan Baptist Church, 125 County St., will hold a dinner from noon to 3 p.m. Bethlehem Christian Church, 312 Bute St., will hold its dinner from 1 to 3 p.m. And New Paul’s Temple Holiness Church of Deliverance will have dinner and a clothes giveaway from noon to 2 p.m.

For those who want to give and for those who need to receive, there are plenty of opportunities for Thanksgiving blessings this year. That’s one of the wonderful things that makes Suffolk so special.