BUFFALO, N.Y. — Hundreds were served hot, refreshing meals on Thanksgiving at Response to Love Center. Sister Johnice, with a huge smile, sat down to talk about her mission and her love of people and the wonderful volunteers.
Don't let her height fool you, Sister Johnice has a big personality and a spirit that attracts one and all. Response to Love was born out a mission to serve people in 1985.
"I met Mother Teresa and I wanted to go to Calcutta and she told me go find your Calcutta in your neighborhood," she said.
She found it at St. Adalbert's parish school on Kosciuszko Street.
Over the years she has seen changes, but one thing is consistent, hunger.
"I see it in our dining room," she said.
In 1985, "when people were coming here to the center, they just thought it was a freebie place to come in, get their food bag and go," she said.
Now Response to Love is serving meals and giving people practical bags with necessary items.
"We even started education in the building now because there were many adults who didn't have a high school diploma. many came from foreign countries," Johnice said.
She knows most people by name and they know her very well too.
This year Sis.Johnice is asking people to donate, "a vinyl bag so it can be packed with one towel, one wash cloth and a bar of soap."
Donations can be sent to Response to Love Center, 130 Kosciuszko St. Buffalo, NY 14212
Children can get bags filled with cereal, snacks, juice boxes, cookies, coloring books and crayons.
The Woodard sisters keep coming back to volunteer on Thanksgiving Day.
"This is really what Thanksgiving is about, it's about being with people you love and I love these people here," said Brooke Woodard .
Eighth-grade student CJ Moore said he wants to be here,
"It's just so sad how these people have to come here because they don't have as much as I have and I like to help them so they can have a nice warm meal on Thanksgiving," Moore said.
It's a tradition that will continue and Sister Johnice said she wants to "respond to love with love!"