In its past twelve operating hours, the Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry has fed 264 needy families.

That’s why Marlene Kilburn, the ministry’s assistant director, was very happy to see reinforcements -- a food-laden trailer with a life-sized armadillo riding atop -- arrive Tuesday morning.

The season for thanks and giving is upon us, and the people at Texas Roadhouse in Snellville found a way to help their community and put food in the hands of families in need.

Sam Roper, owner of Snellville’s Texas Roadhouse, said the company encourages community involvement. Utilizing “Give Hunger the Boot,” an initiative began in the area by Snellville Councilman Dave Emanuel, the restaurant organized a campaign to help the Southeast Gwinnett Co-op stock its shelves.

“We took 10 percent of our gift card sales in the first three weeks of November and purchased $1,700 worth of food for the Co-op,” Roper said.

Texas Roadhouse also serves as a Barrel Partner with the Co-op, and they brought in more than $500 worth of donated food that customers put in the barrels located inside the restaurant.

“This is a great donation from our community, and we need more businesses like this involved,” Kilburn said.

The Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry is located on Athens Highway in Grayson, and it serves needy families in the area by providing help with gas and electric bills, running water, medications and food.

The nonprofit's pantry intake hours are 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Although the organization has received generous donations from schools, churches and businesses like Texas Roadhouse, it is still in need of food donations and volunteers.

For more information, visit their website.