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FEEDING HOPE: SHELLEY’S STORY
“I could just hug everybody here because I’m so happy about this.”
Of course, hugging isn’t happening during the COVID-19 crisis, but Shelley’s gratitude could still be felt as she picked up a Tom’s Turkey Drive Thanksgiving meal box this year. “I’m working on a budget,” shared Shelley. “I’m going to use this very wisely, and I’ll share what I don’t need if I have leftovers.”
The COVID-19 crisis has kept Shelley from traveling to see family over the last several months, including this holiday season. This Thanksgiving, she’d be celebrating at home with her cat, who has kept her company as she’s been spending more time at home. “He’s a real sweetheart. We’re like this,” she said, holding up her hand to show her index and middle finger tightly crossed.
“I’m so much more grateful this year. I’ve been doing a lot of work on myself, and I feel like things are getting better in my life.”
Shelley couldn’t wait to cook her turkey in her new oven—one of the many things she was grateful for this Thanksgiving. She hasn’t had an oven in more than ten years, including six years when she experienced homelessness.
But a new oven wasn’t the only thing different about this Thanksgiving for Shelley. “I’m so much more grateful this year. I’ve been doing a lot of work on myself, and I feel like things are getting better in my life,” she said.
She hopes to continue to share that gratitude with others by volunteering in the community in the coming months.
Shelley had a simple but poignant message to the donors and volunteers who helped make Tom’s Turkey Drive a success: “Thank you. God bless you, and thank you.”


FEEDING AMERICA CEO VISITS SECOND HARVEST – JULY 1
FEEDING AMERICA CEO VISITS SECOND HARVESTAuthor: Leah Horton Last month, Second Harvest in Spokane had the distinct pleasure of hosting Feeding America Chief Executive Officer Claire Babineaux-Fontenot. While you may be aware that Second Harvest is a member...

OUR NEW ‘FOOD NEAR ME’ MAP – JUNE 24
FIND 'FOOD NEAR ME' WITH THE CLICK OF A BUTTONAuthor: Patty Kieburtz Second Harvest debuted its new ‘Food Near Me’ map in April 2022, with the aim of providing a user-friendly system of finding food assistance in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. The new...

SUMMER MEAL SITES FOR KIDS – JUNE 17
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Feeding Eastern Washington and North Idaho
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