the amazing Mutt

My grandmother, Mutt, is simply amazing. Two weeks from today, she will celebrate her 90th birthday. What do you think she is doing to pass her golden days in Union City, Tennessee? I'll tell you what she's doing - she's coordinating the "Community Feeding of the 5,000," an interdenominational effort to provide a hot Thanksgiving dinner to those in need. (And, yes, they really do feed more than 5,000 people.) The food is donated by local businesses, churches, and individuals - 300 turkeys, 300 gallons of dressing, 100 gallons of giblet gravy, 200 gallons of green beans, 200 gallons of cooked apples, 50 gallons of cranberry sauce, thousands of rolls, and 625 pies - and is prepared by an army of volunteers. Those in need have three options: they can enjoy the fellowship as they dine with other guests at First Baptist Church Union City's Family Life Center on the Monday before Thanksgiving; they can drop by the church that day to pick up carry-out meals for their families; or volunteers can deliver meals to their homes.

Mutt has been coordinating this event since its inception several years ago, doing much of the administrative work via email. (Who says that senior citizens aren't adept at using technology?) She also spends countless hours in advance of the event working with a team of volunteers who cook as much of the food as possible in advance and freeze it, and she will undoubtedly be in the center of the activity at her church's Family Life Center on the day of the Thanksgiving meal. In addition to the meal, she also oversees the collection of canned goods and non-perishable items that local Scouts and other volunteers will sort and bag, allowing needy families to take a grocery sack home with them after they enjoy the Thanksgiving meal. Last year the students at the city's elementary, middle, and high schools collected over 10,000 cans, providing grocery sacks for 600 needy families.

It goes without saying that I feel like a sloth compared to my grandmother! I am just shy of being half her age, but I certainly have less than half her energy, enthusiasm, and ingenuity. When I grow up, I want to be just like Mutt.