“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.”