KEARNEY, Neb. — Mom and Dad’s Barbecue and Catering may not be full yet, but the volunteers for Hot Meals USA are getting set up for a packed house Wednesday for their annual Christmas meal they provide to families in need around the community.
“Whether it’s what we’re doing here, serving a Christmas tree or or, you know, a disaster serving people food. t it amazes me every time somebody reaches out and grabs a meal, how grateful they are. Is something so small as is. And I really think it’s so much more than a meal. I think it’s just a human reaching out to another human being and touching and letting them know they care,” Richard Cochran, founder of Hot Meals USA, said.
A few volunteers that spoke with NTV News say they found this opportunity through Facebook and feel it’s a good way to give back to the community.
“When we were driving over there talking about doing this, you know, we were like, this is such a small thing that we can do to make how many people you know who smile on their faces? You know, like I said, it takes an hour or two hours, three hours, whatever it may be. But it it’s such a small thing and we are totally enjoying it,” Karen Wilke, a volunteer for Hot Meals USA, said.
They also get the chance to grow as individuals.
“It makes us, you know, thankful for what we have. It makes us thankful,” Pamela Larbey, a volunteer for Hot Meals USA, said.
After retiring, Cochran felt inspired to give back to his community and provide food to anyone struggling after natural disasters.
“My wife and I lived in 17 different states. We saw disasters from everything from hurricanes to tornadoes. Part of what we used to do is we would obviously do things to protect our own properties. But then, afterwards, when we were cleaning our own stuff up, we always cooked food for folks. And I said, you know, there’s a great need for this, and I think we could do this on a much better, bigger scale. So that’s kind of how Hot Meals was born,” Cochran said.
Hot Meals USA said they expect to serve between 2,300 and 2,700 Christmas meals. The non-profit started its operation in a single trailer and now can cook 40 gallons of vegetables in less than 30 minutes. Santa can be sure to find his cookies on a warm plate at Mom and Dad’s BBQ restaurant.