BOCA RATON, Fla. — A Thanksgiving meal made with a warm heart.
Inside Stephanie Villacis’ kitchen in Boca Raton, the mother of three was unloading green beans and boxes of stuffing to prepare for a big feast.
“I’m gonna have some fried turkeys, some baked turkeys and I’m going to definitely have some sweet ham,” Stephanie said.
This Thanksgiving, Stephanie is cooking much more than years past. She’s opening up her home after saving $1,000 over the past year, and her husband and three boys will help feed full course meals to those less fortunate.
It all started last year when Stephanie had a lot of leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner and she decided to feed her neighborhood. This year she posted a message on Facebook, and the Watergate neighborhood’s NextDoor App.
“I put, if you or anyone you know is in need of a Thanksgiving meal, I got you,” Stephanie said. “Just send me a message and I will have food ready for you and your family. I’m not wealthy or anything like that, but where two eat, three eat.”
Her neighbors responded and took it a step further by donating food to help her mission.
Brian Spotts saw the post online.
“It gives you faith, it gives you hope because this world is kind of getting a little off track,” said Spotts, who lives in the same neighborhood.
Stephanie is also planning to deliver some hot meals to those who can’t make it out to her home. She’s hoping her gesture will help warm the soul of someone in need.
“I just do it because I like it, and it just feels good to help out,” Stephanie said.
