October Local Spotlight | Meals on Wheels
This month, we are honored to spotlight the amazing Stepheine Hood and her work at the Hall County Meals on Wheels organization. Keep on reading to learn more!
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I am a mom of two amazing and totally different boys. Parker, 16yrs old, is my Paul Bunyan. He is old school country and rock n roll, being out in the woods good ol county boy with the best spirit ever. Easton, 12yrs old, is the Deion Sanders in my life. Playing all sports, he is never sitting still, but he is not the one to get his hands dirty.
Right now, my life is about being the best mom possible and that means driving my boys crazy by spending all my time with them☺. I have learned to make sure to get some alone time and when that happens I enjoy bible studies, doing puzzles and taking naps.
Tell us about your business / services.
I have had the pleasure of working for Gainesville – Hall County Meals on Wheels program for the past 19 years. I started at enter level and worked hard to become the supervisor of our program 2016. At that time, we had 375 clients (seniors 60 or older), around 230 volunteers. Today, we are serving 545 seniors and have more than 260 volunteers (this includes individuals, couples, church groups, and business in Gainesville – Hall Co.).
I’m excited about some of the extra activities that I am able to make happen like our, One Love Wednesday, Secret Santa for seniors and our PET Meals on Wheels program. These tasks bring to life, “It’s more than a meal, It’s a community”.
What inspired you to start your business?
I was working in the water processing department when I saw the post to work with Meals on Wheels. I knew when I saw it, my forever job. Happy God felt that way too☺. Being a vessel for the Lord, supporting my community and also providing for my family, all in one. Not many people have the blessing of being able to do this. I am so thankfully I do.
Is there anything exciting you’d like to share about your business?
Meals on Wheels is blessed to have such an incredible pool of volunteers. It is the volunteers that make our program happen. But, we are a lunch time meal provider for seniors. This will sometimes have people think that they can’t volunteer for our program due to the main option but that’s not true. Helping with our annually Secret Santa for seniors or being a hosting site for a PET Meals on Wheels food drive are such great ways to volunteer with our program.
What’s something on your bucket list?
Actually, I don’t have a bucket list. Maybe one day I will put one together.
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
LOL, it depends on the day. But my favorite two come from Kung Fu Panda - -
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it is called the present. - - - Master Oogway
Your mind is like water. When it is agitated, it becomes difficult to see. But if you allow it to settle, the answer becomes clear. - - - - - Master Oogway
What’s good in your life?
Learning how to be a better, wiser and patient mom. Learning how to build better and stronger relationships with my boys. I have completely removed myself from all extract things outside of them and replaced them for all things.