Devoted Volunteers in Chesnee Serve Up Homemade Meals for the Homeless
On any given Wednesday afternoon in the homely town of Chesnee, South Carolina, Teresa Thompson and a small band of dedicated volunteers don their aprons and fire up their home kitchens. Their mission? Cooking up delicious homemade meals for the homeless.
Teresa Thompson, a convenience store sales clerk, has been mustering a small group of her neighbors, about half a dozen strong, every Wednesday for over a year now. They whip up homemade meals and hand out take-out boxes at Cada Park, turning ordinary Wednesday afternoons into a delicious beacon of hope for those in need.
A Labor of Love and Dedication
What’s special about this group is that they don’t rely on external funding — they dip into their own pockets to buy the ingredients for these meals. “We spend $150-$200 a week,” reveals Thompson. “And that’s just out of my pocket.”
Volunteer Mary shares her experience, stating that she spent $170 just this week. Every penny goes toward buying fresh ingredients for lip-smacking homemade meatloaf, fried chicken, macaroni, cornbread, and more. They ensure that every morsel is home-cooked with love, care, and a dash of generosity.
How it all started…
This tradition of service was inspired by Thompson’s daughter, who after volunteering at a local meal delivery service in Spartanburg, wanted to make a difference in her own community. Watching vulnerable individuals resort to unwrapping food wrappers picked from a trash can to satisfy their hunger was a sight that ignited this spark of community service.
It’s about more than just food
Cada Park, with the blessing of the city, has given them a steady base for their operations. They’ve seen an overwhelming response, serving as many as 170 people in one day. As Thompson explains, this is more than just about food. It’s a way to give back and bring joy to those helping and those receiving help.
The smiling faces and warm appreciations of people like Debbie, who drops by to pick up food not for herself but for her elderly neighbor, are testament to the impact this group is having.
This is a community effort that truly represents the spirit of Chesnee — an example of everyday heroes doing their bit to ensure that no one goes to bed hungry. And the only requirement to receive a meal? Simply being hungry.
Thompson sums it up perfectly, “I lost my son. January will be four years ago and this puts some joy back into my heart,”. Through her loss, she’s found a way to bring light and joy to her community.
These devoted volunteers have proven that every day can be an opportunity to serve and make a difference, rain or shine. And they aren’t stopping any time soon — they will continue to serve until their supplies run out, one delicious homemade meal at a time.
