Open Doors of Norwalk finds way to hand out 160 family meal kits despite rain
Open Doors of Norwalk held its annual holiday meal kit giveaway.
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Open Doors of Norwalk was still able to hold its annual holiday meal kit giveaway, despite Friday morning’s heavy rain and wind.
"It's important because you want to make sure the families have food at home to eat as well, as we ourselves as workers here have something to eat," explained Terano Higgs, the food program manager for Open Doors.
In total, the organization said it had enough food for 160 families, who also braved the elements to pick up their meals.
"It helps me out along the way because times are hard, I've got to pay bills," said Norwalk resident Cynthia Pulley.
"I don't have much money to buy what I need, so I am very grateful," agreed another woman who stopped by.
The event was originally supposed to be held outside in the parking lot, but because of the weather, Open Doors says volunteers had to pivot at the last minute, to move the set-up inside.
"It's a chain - we knocked it off from Ford, conveyor here," laughed Brad Westbrook, a volunteer from the First Congregational Church of Darien.
Organizers say it took about an hour to move everything and put stations in a few different rooms.
"We think like that, just like that, we got it all the time, it's always covered," said Higgs.
Not everyone was always as confident.
"Honestly, on our way here, I was like 'what are we going to do?' said Laura Lopez, Open Doors' volunteer and community manager. "We got here, we figured it out, one, two, three, and it happened."
At the end of the day, everyone was still able to go home with a kit fully curated by Higgs.
"I like to give people what I like to eat; I'm not going to give them something I'm not going to eat," she said.
This meant that people left with multiple bags filled with potatoes, fresh fruit and vegetables and a full Christmas ham.
"I'm going to go over to my daughter's house, she's going to cook it, we're going put together what we both have, and we're going to have a good time," said one woman.
Open Doors will also be hosting a holiday dinner Monday at CBC Hall. It says it is free for anyone to walk in, and there are also plans for Santa to be there with toys for the kids.
