Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare North Hospital's 5th floor staff opened their hearts and cupboards to ensure one needy family had a real Thanksgiving this year.
In early November, Marie Thompkins, BSN, RN, 5th floor Patient Care Coordinator, wanted to start a food drive for a family in need.
Through the Methodist North Chaplains, she was referred to FirstWorks, a 501 C 3 mission program for inner city children and youth and their families. FirstWorks includes a food pantry, clothes closet and after school program for at-risk children and youth and their families.
Firstworks Executive Director, Rev. Birgitte T. French (Pastor Bee) worked with Marie to identify a deserving family that would most benefit from a food drive.
For several days the 5th floor staff generously brought in canned goods, cake mixes, a large turkey, a roasting pan, and other non-perishable foods to contribute to this Thanksgiving effort.
The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, the 5th floor staff presented the bountiful basket to Pastor Bee for delivery to the family.
Upon meeting the staff, Pastor Bee enthusiastically thanked everyone who contributed and let them know that their generous efforts would be greatly appreciated by this particular FirstWorks family.
She told the staff their donated food would feed a single mother, who has been out of prison for a year and who now has a job, and her 3 children.
Thanks to Marie Tompkins and her 5th floor staff, one special family will feel the warmth of Thanksgiving and have good healthy food to eat during the holidays.