Mrs. Louise Hunter helps hand out over 200 turkeys to help the needyby Dominica Jaramillo
As she hauls a heavy paper bag, loaded with Thanksgiving turkey, up a flight of stairs, Mrs. Louise Hunter answers a near-standing man’s question, why are you carrying that bag? “I have to do what I have to do.”
Now, she doesn’t mean helping with the groceries.
“This is what keeps me going. This is what keeps me healthy; by helping others.”
Mid-morning, November 24, Mrs. Hunter, founder and director for Love and Charity, a homeless shelter, located at the corner of Douglas Avenue and Prospect Street, in Racine, was one of many volunteers handing out Thanksgiving dinners to any and everyone who asks for one. The more than 200 thankful citizens of Racine cheerfully received the food, graciously provided by Second Harvest Food Bank of Wisconsin and other various private donors.
The overseer for the event, Mrs. Hunter exclaims, “I feel so good today! I am excited to be 75 and helping somebody!”
A line collects at the shelter’s side entrance, and, as people come out, arms full of paper bags, overflowing with food, more people go into receive a gift they may not have been able to attain on their own. “This is what Love and Charity does; we’ve been helping people for over 50 years!”
Also present during the giveaway was Mrs. Hunter’s granddaughter, Gavia Jackson. Citing her own bout with homelessness as motivation for her assistance during, Jackson comments, “It makes me feel good, just giving. Even though it is not from me, I still feel good to helping.”
In the midst of people coming and going, bagging and loading, greeting and thanking, Mrs. Hunter can be seen right smack dab in the middle of it all. The husband of one of Mrs. Hunter’s nieces, Craig Bates, comments on the shelter’s diligent director, “She’s so busy, Anytime you come down here, she’s busy. Even when she’s done with that [the giveaway], she’ll be busy with something else.”
Despite her age, busy Mrs. Hunter is committed to her desire to help others. She shares the benefits she reaps from giving and foundation from which she pulls from daily. “If people want to live happy, just start helping somebody. In order to help someone, you must have Jesus on the inside. If He’s not on the inside, you can’t do it on your own. He’ll give you strength when there is none. I am encouraging people to love one another like the Bible says.”
In closing, Mrs. Hunter wants every Insider reader to know, “No matter how Love and Charity may be overlooked, we are still here for you, to serve you everyday. It’s all about helping somebody.”
