Wednesday the Knoxville branch of a steel company known for heavy-support construction products did its part to strengthen a beloved local charity.
Employees from Gerdau Knoxville Construction Products delivered a half ton of food to the Love Kitchen in East Knoxville on Wednesday morning. Workers at Gerdau collected the items during a month-long food drive that started in mid-May.
84-year-old twin sisters Ellen Turner and Helen Ashe co-founded the Love Kitchen and prepare meals for thousands of needy people in Knoxville. That includes delivering meals to hundreds of home-bound people.
Workers at Gerdau said they could not wait to deliver the food donation to Helen and Ellen.
"Getting here this morning, it was thrilling to come into the parking lot knowing we had a thousand pounds of food to give to them," said branch manager Paul Roach. "We try to do a lot of community support efforts. We decided to give to the Love Kitchen because what these folks do to makes immediate impact on their neighbors and the local community."
"That's what keeps us going honey," said Helen Ashe. "I tell you, with the prayers and the donations they give us, that's what keeps us going. Doesn't it make you feel good? This is wonderful."
The Love Kitchen website (www.thelovekitchen.org) features more information on the non-profit organization's efforts to feed the hungry in Knoxville. The site also includes details on how to donate time or money to the Love Kitchen.