HOUSTON -- Thousands of homebound people in Harris County would go without a warm Thanksgiving meal if it wasn't for the generosity of hundreds of kind-hearted volunteers who shared their Thanksgiving spirit one meal at a time.
"Sharing five to 10 minutes with someone makes an enormous difference in someone's life,” said volunteer Christina Ledoux.
She and her son, Hayden Carr, volunteered to deliver warm food to seniors.
“I'm expecting for them to be happy and for them to get food,” said Hayden.
More than 800 people signed up to deliver about 2,900 meals throughout Harris County. It's a Thanksgiving Meals on Wheels program Interfaith Ministries established 21 years ago.
“It's an opportunity to give our Meals on Wheels drivers a day off. And an opportunity for families to do something together to help someone on Thanksgiving,” said Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston volunteer services manager Denise Atkerson.
Hayden and his mother went the extra mile -- they made Thanksgiving greeting cards for every person who signed up to get a meal.
Ledoux and her son packed the warm and cold meals in a cooler and drove towards the Heights to deliver the first meal.
After a short drive, they were at the door of their first client, Mary Fowler.
“Hi, I'm Christina with Interfaith Ministries,” said Ledoux.
In just minutes, they did what they signed up to do: deliver a warm meal and share their Thanksgiving spirit.
“Oh, it means a lot to me. It's wonderful. I love children,” said Mary Fowler.
For Hayden and his mom, sharing their Thanksgiving Day with a stranger made a long-lasting impression.
“Yes, it means a lot,” said Ledoux.
Interfaith Ministries' Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston program provides nutritional support to help seniors stay independent and in their own homes. For more information, contact http://www.imgh.org/mow.asp.
