MADISON, Wis. — Every Tuesday, Debra Childress sets up a pop-up food pantry in her garage to feed those in need. Over the last several years, Childress has volunteered her time at homeless shelters, food pantries and has set up her own hot meal stations throughout Madison to feed others.
“It’s work getting set up, but it’s got to be done,” she said.
Childress does this with the help of her daughter, Herretta.
“My mom breaks her back and her body down doing this type of stuff,” Herretta said. “But it’s a blessing at the same time because people have food on their table.”
Childress said she does the work because it “is a calling that God has on my heart to serve and help his family and his children.” Needing help putting food on the table is a familiar concept for Childress as she was once homeless more than 20 years ago.
“It’s not easy. It’s a struggle every day. Just to wake up is a struggle when you’re in the homeless life and feel like no one cares. You don’t love yourself,” she said.
On top of holding pop-up food pantries out of her garage every Tuesday, Childress takes any extra food and personally drives and delivers it to people at their homes or downtown wherever they need her to meet them.
“I always love giving back to other people. Makes me feel good when I service my community. It puts a smile in my heart and on my face”
Two weeks ago, the car that Childress used to do this work broke down on her and went up in smoke. She is now asking for the community’s help to donate to her GoFundMe so that she can purchase a van to be able to continue helping others.
“I’m asking for $5,000. If more, that’s a blessing,” she said.
Health Food for All of Dane County Operations Coordinator Joe Mingle, who donates food to her Tuesday pop-up pantry, is hopeful the community will help her raise the money.
“Even in the coldest, harshest part of the winter, she’s out here feeding people, setting things up so we can do this pop-up mobile pantry in her parking garage,” Mingle said. “I just hope folks out in the community will support her work because she’s doing a lot of great stuff.”
Childress said she is hopeful that her years of helping others will come back around.
“I’m here to support in any way I can,” she said.
If you would like to donate, you can do so here.
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