38th Annual Outdoors Inc Canoe & Kayak Race

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com)- More than 500 kayak and canoe paddlers drifted out into the Mississippi River for the Annual “Outdoors Inc. Canoe and Kayak Race” on Saturday. Paddlers’ skill levels ranged from expert to novice, and everyone had a great on the water. “It’s a beautiful river and um a massive river and it’s a great day for world class paddlers, Olympic paddlers to be out here top pro racers from around the country as well anybody who wants to paddle with their child or partner or wife or grandfather, it’s just a great day to be on the river,” said Mary Royer of Outdoors Incorporated.

For at least three decades, the city’s annual Thanksgiving meal for the hungry and the homeless was at the Cook Convention Center funded by a 3rd party organization, who called it off because of renovations to the convention center. When news of the cancellation broke, calls to help started rolling in. “Logistically, we’ve been working on this for like, four weeks. We’ve got city vans going to Mt. Vernon Westwood and Bellevue and this church as well to transport the food down to City Hall,” said Harris. Hot boxes will keep the food warm on it’s trek. “It’s well thought out,” said Harris. “It’s going to be a blessing to the Memphians we’re serving and to all that come.”

“So far they’ve put the tent up at City Hall,” said Fouche. “We’re getting donations for sleeping bags and things from different organizations.” Teams of volunteers worked throughout the day Tuesday and Wednesday stuffing boxes with gloves and hats and the last turkey’s will come off the cookers around 6 Thanksgiving morning. “So, it’s all coming together,” said Fouche.