A Sarnia family is giving back to the community by helping those in need with the launch of a new group.
Nora and Lainey Brooker and their daughter Madison Herbert started Operation Warm Hearts and Full Bellies in December after realizing the need in the community.
Lainey Brooker said the idea came together after a Christmas dinner she had with her family and realizing they were not going to be able to finish the food by themselves.
"We decided to get the teenagers involved making dinner plates and the whole community jumped on board. So, we ended up cooking nine turkeys that day," she said.
Brooker said the group makes around 100 meals every night for those in need.
"We're making meal hampers for people in their homes who are struggling to afford to put groceries on their table," she said.
According to Brooker since December the need for meals and hampers has increased.
"I feel like we have seen more people in the last little bit and even us I think have been feeling the pressure of being able to support people," she said.
The difference with Operation Warm Hearts and Full Bellies is the group picks up donations, delivers meal hampers and drives around to various locations to provide a hot meal for the homeless.
Brooker said she feels this is where the group bridges a gap that other services don't provide.
"We make it accessible to absolutely everybody," she said.
Brooker added that the community has been supportive of the group.
"Every time we find it's getting to be too much the community jumps on board and helps take over so that we can have a little bit of a break, or when our food supplies are getting really short all of a sudden there will be a massive donation," she said.
Other services they offer are laundry and clothing for the homeless population.
For people who want to donate they are being encouraged to contact them by email at warmheartsandfullbellies@gmail.com.
As for people who are in need of a hamper she said the easiest way is to reach out through their Facebook page.
