Kari remembered that the initial arrival was a woman residing in a shelter with individuals either too elderly to work or facing financial challenges, unable to afford rent. Surprisingly, she arrived 30 minutes early, prompting Kari to think that even if no one else attended, it would still be worthwhile.
To her astonishment, more people joined the event, including Rasad Abdullah, who came with his wife and five children. In contrast to their usual struggles to have three meals a day, Abdullah and his family felt like royalty that day, as the venue overflowed with food. It was a blessing not just for him but for his entire family.
Abdullah expressed, “When you’re going through a hard time and make an effort to do something different with your family, it’s genuinely a blessing.”
Another attendee, Erika Craycraft, lauded the generosity of Quinn and her family, who, despite their own losses, were still committed to giving back. Craycraft remarked, “To lose something so important and then selflessly give it to someone else is truly generous and kind.”
Tamara Dotson, a homeless mother, acknowledged her love for the shelter’s food but emphasized that the meals served that day were a unique experience. She stated, “This is not coming from our kitchen. We love our chef Leo, but he wouldn’t be preparing anything like this.”