CHESAPEAKE — A community Thanksgiving worship service hosted by area churches raised just short of $5,000 for the Chesapeake Mission Outreach.

The Rev. Chuck Case, of Chesapeake United Methodist Church, said the funds from the Nov. 22 service, which united the congregations of several area churches, will go to distribution efforts by the food pantry, which is giving out holiday gift baskets.

Case said each church participating adopts one item provided in the basket. This year’s goal was to give away 650 baskets including a turkey, potatoes, vegetables and many other staples.

He said this year’s total was especially good and was more than had been raised in each of the past five years.

Churches taking part included Big Branch, Chesapeake United Methodist, Defender United Methodist, St. Ann Catholic, and Sybene Missionary Baptist.