HOPEWELL, Va. — During the holiday season, many people are looking for ways to give back to their community.
One organization in the Tri-Cities area needs volunteers to help provide warm meals to homeless individuals.
“For me to have a warm place to stay plus a warm meal, it means a lot,” Samantha, who stays at the only city-run shelter in the Tri-Cities, said.
The City of Hopewell provides funding for the shelter, but it does not offer meals.
In response, Beacon Hill Church stepped in to help.
“We created this Meal Train for people to sign up to bring a home-cooked meal at 6 p.m. every night and drop it off at the shelter,” Pastor Michael Moore said.
Since November, businesses, civic groups, churches, and families have been joining in to provide meals.
“It’s been a huge blessing because they get at least one solid, good meal every day,” Moore said,
Shelter residents, like Michael Simmonds, are thankful.
“To see someone actually doing something that cares for the community, to help people, it’s an encouragement and a blessing, so I thank them,” he said.