This morning I have only one ‘good people’ story to share with you, but I think you’ll agree that this one is priceless, deserving of its own post.
One of my pet peeves, as many of you already know, is people with great wealth. What pleasure is there in having millions or billions of dollars sitting around doing nothing but earning more money. I have very little use for the wealthy, especially those who give nothing, do nothing to help those less fortunate. So, it was with great joy that I read about Freddie and Lisa Thomas-McMillan. This couple own a restaurant, Drexell & Honeybee’s, in downtown Brewton, Alabama near the Florida border. What makes them special? According to their website …
When you enter Drexell & Honeybee’s in downtown Brewton, Alabama, you’ll walk past booths and four-tops full of cornbread, fried chicken, and collard greens. The one thing you won’t find is a checkout register. To owners Lisa and Freddie Thomas-McMillan, food is about the joy of serving others. And that doesn’t come with a price tag.
In fact, there’s only one rule: ‘Everybody eats.’ From Tuesday through Thursday, 11 A.M. – 1 P.M., Drexell & Honeybee’s serves up hot plates to hungry on-comers from all walks of life, whether you can pay for it or not. There are no suggested prices, in fact, no prices of any kind. When you are done with your meal, you simply leave whatever you can – a handful of coins, a generous donation, a hand-written note, or a heartfelt ‘Thank You’. But when you leave, you do so with a full stomach, a full heart, and the understanding that you are loved and worthy of love. You can find soul food all over Alabama. But you won’t find a meal that fills you up quite like this one.
Freddie and Lisa make no profit from their restaurant. 100% of the donations go back into serving people food. So, what do they get from all this? Joy.Lisa’s always had a big heart. Through the years, she’s run a food bank. She’s opened her home to the needy. She says it may have started in second grade when she learned a powerful lesson about sharing from a little girl who always had a better sandwich, but shared it happily with Lisa in a daily trade for some of her peanut butter and jelly.
“‘Feed the Need’ is our mission statement. Whatever needs people have, if we can help them… we will. When my husband and I opened, we agreed to put a portion of our retirement back into the running of the restaurant… as you can imagine donations are down (due to the pandemic), but we will continue to try and be of service to all the people that come to our door.”
Now, I’m going to ask that you take the 7 minutes to watch this video … I guarantee that you will be glad you did, and that you will fall in love with Lisa! Oh … and grab your box of tissues before you start … you will need them.
I give two thumbs-up to Freddie and Lisa … these two people are giving of themselves to do for others … these, my friends, are truly good people.
Wonderful!!
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I’d love to meet these two and give them each a hug for all they have done!!!
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Yes!!
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Wonderful example of two truly Good Folk
If only there was someway we could inject folk with Freddie and Lisa.
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Oh wouldn’t that be perfect! These two brought a tear or three to my eyes, and I couldn’t help but compare and contrast them to most of the samples of humans I’ve seen lately.
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We could do with more of these people.
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For sure!
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Awesome couple! ❤
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I thought so, too! Makes me realize how little I actually contribute … makes me want to be better.
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wonderful. the seven minutes was time well spent!
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I thought so too! What a wonderful couple, yes? Puts me to shame!
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I feel the same way; makes me realize there is so much more I could be doing…
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Good story, Jill.`
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Thanks, John!
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they have hearts as big as the world…. wonderful, beautiful people – love them! Thank you for sharing this worthy and uplifting story. Long may they be able to continue.
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I agree … the world needs many more like them! If every one of us had their compassion, imagine what a beautiful place this world could be! Thanks for visiting!
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Wonderful, thx for the inspirational share! ❤
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Pingback: Good People Doing Good Things — Freddie & Lisa — Filosofa’s Word | Rethinking Life
We need their address so we can donate money to their cause.
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If you use the link in this post to visit their website, in the lower right-hand corner there is a heart with the word “donate” above it. Click on that, and you will be able to donate using either Paypal or a bank card. Thanks!
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Jill, well done, my friend. I wish more wealthy people followed the Warren Buffett pledge to give away half your wealth to those in needs. I cannot cite the source as it is an old study, but people in poverty or near poverty give away a higher percentage of their income than the wealthy. Keith
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Thanks, Keith! Yes, I cannot understand why every wealthy person doesn’t join The Giving Pledge! For Pete’s sake, it’s not as if they will be living in a shanty and eating a can of beans for supper … they would still have more money than all of my readers combined! And what fun is money in and of itself? Once you’ve got everything you need and want, of what use is it? Sigh. I did love Freddie & Lisa … what if everyone in the world had their compassion? Just imagine it.
I have no doubt it is true that the poor are more generous than the wealthy, with some exceptions, of course. I know many people who struggle to make ends meet, yet still donate to worthy causes each month.
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Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Good people doing good things.
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Thanks Suzanne!!!
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It’s rare to meet people as selfless and giving as this.. The poor and hungry have a place they can be fed when they don’t have a dime. Earth Angel indeed.
Cwtch
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It is rare … almost unheard of. I was thinking as I worked on this piece last night that if we all gave in similar ways of our time and resources, how much nicer the world would be.
Cwtch
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Wonderful and heartwarming
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If we could all contribute in similar ways, imagine what a great world this could be! Glad you enjoyed it!
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It would be fabulous
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