The power of one: Jackson County woman provides Thanksgiving for those in need

Families with children, older adults, people suffering from addiction, those turned away by other food pantries or even state agencies — everyone can find a meal with Lee.

From 12 turkeys to 140

Lee started feeding people by filling up blessing boxes. These boxes are often placed in public spaces and filled with shelf stable food that can be taken by anyone.

Then, in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic began, she opened a food pantry in her basement. That Thanksgiving, she provided turkeys and dinners to 12 families.

Since then, her pantry and giveaways have blossomed.

Last weekend, Lee and her helpers passed out 140 turkeys — plus side dishes — in Jackson County to people in need of a Thanksgiving meal.

“I’m just letting it do what it does,� she said.

Anyone who needs it

Lee comes home after work to give food for two to three families a night at her house, and she asks two questions:

• How many are in a family?
• Are there any food allergies?

“Basically, if we can get it to you, and you’re hungry, I don’t care,� she said.

Every family receives at least bologna, cheese, margarine, milk and bread.

“That alone will at least take care of the immediate hunger needs,� she said.

A lot of her clients are working, but they just can’t make ends meet, she said.

“I have seen a girl dance in a parking lot with a box of cereal because she had cereal and milk at the same time. I have seen mothers burst out crying because they have food to give their families. I’ve had people make bologna sandwiches in my driveway because they’re hungry,� she said.

For families with no kitchen, Lee gives away items like pull-top cans, plasticware, burners and canned chicken.

She said the hardest people to help are seniors, who often don’t want to ask for food. Lee hears about them from their grandchildren and neighbors.

As Lee’s pantry isn’t registered or regulated as a tax-exempt nonprofit, she can give to whoever she wants. She can also break up bulk food items into individual servings for families.

The state organizations formerly known as the Department of Health & Human Resources even tell people about the “crazy lady in Cottageville� who can help them if they make too much money to qualify for benefits, she said.

Community donations

The food comes mostly from community donations, big and small. People Lee has helped have even come back to donate.

“One loaf of bread makes a difference because if one person gives a loaf of bread and one person gives a jar of peanut butter, well right here we’ve got sandwiches,� Lee said.

Lee also accepts cash. Her best friend, Rebecca Hoff, said a lot of donors want to give money to an organization that will keep it in Jackson County.

Feeding America’s 2022 data found a food insecurity rate of 16%, or 4,420 residents, in Jackson County — 3% higher than the national average and 1% higher than West Virginia’s rate.

Of those 4,420 residents, a third are not eligible for SNAP benefits.

Thanksgiving giveaway

For the Thanksgiving and Christmas giveaways, Lee needs freezer space — another commodity donated by Hoff, other friends and even a coworker who mentioned offhand that she had an unplugged freezer.

The Thanksgiving giveaway is the biggest feeding event of the year for Lee.

Each individual who signed up received a turkey, macaroni & cheese, instant mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, baked beans and rolls.

Lee’s granddaughters, Elizabeth Smith, 9, and Alisha Smith, 11, helped pack the 150 boxes of sides.

Lee’s son, a doctor in Morgantown, also pitches in through donations from him and his friends.

One of his patients collects Pez dispensers. She’ll give Lee the duplicates to pass out at the Christmas giveaway.

Lee purchases the turkeys from local grocery stores. This year, she ran into the turkey vendor while at the store and was able to put in an order for 52 birds directly with him.

Last Friday, Lee had loaded up her car, her truck and Hoff’s truck with turkeys and sides. On Saturday, they and some other friends went to the Dollar Tree in Ravenswood and Ripley to pass out the meals.

Most people signed up ahead of time, but even walk-ups are taken care of.

Other helpers

Lee’s generosity has connected her with several other helpers in Jackson County. Together, they started the Facebook page A Helping Hand — Jackson County, West Virginia to connect the community with resources such as clothes or utility help.

To Hoff, Lee is an inspiration.

“I don’t know how many people who … think one day while they’re sitting in their house, ‘You know, I’m going to start a food pantry,’� Hoff said.

Lee said she’s “just having fun feeding people.�

“I would recommend that anyone out there give it a try,� she said. “I think I’m proof that one person can make a difference.�