Family Restaurant Run By Alabama Couple Feeds Customers Even If They Can't Afford To Pay

Aug 24, 2020 by apost team

An extracurricular lesson learned in elementary school taught Lisa Thomas-McMillan something that would shape her future. Although she split her peanut butter and jelly sandwich and traded half with another student who split her bologna sandwich, it wasn't a math lesson. It was what she witnessed in her fellow student: sharing with compassion.

Now, Lisa Thomas-McMillan runs a donation-based restaurant with her husband Freddie, named Drexell & Honeybee's. Together they provide food for those in need, even if they can't afford it.

She came in contact with her own innate compassion when she helped a grandmother with a domestic chore. On her way to school, she stopped to ask Ms. Munich if there was anything she could do to help her. Prior to this, she watched her issue commands to her active grandchildren whom she cared for in her old age.

Ms. Munich needed help turning over a mattress, and little Linda gladly obliged. After the mattress was successfully turned, the grandmother dug deep into her purse to compensate Linda for her assistance. However, in a sweet act of compassion, Linda refused. She felt rewarded by the fact that she was able to help. That feeling of happiness in serving never left her.

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To this day, Ms. Thomas-McMillan has continued helping those in her community in a way they need it most. She and her husband, Freddie, own and operate Drexell & Honeybee’s Restaurant in Brewton, Alabama, which serves community members irrespective of their ability to pay. The restaurant, which serves delicious, home-cooked southern fare is a donations-only restaurant. There is no menu and no cash registers.

Just a box at the exit entrance where patrons leave money or notes. Its privacy ensures that no one will be able to see what each customer puts in the box. No menus, no prices, and no cash registers ensure that everyone gets the welcome mat equally.

The couple's mission is to feed hungry people. They get their reward by feeding the needy. Three times a week, lunch is served whether one gives a lot, a little, or nothing at all. People from all walks of life eat there: college students, mechanics, business people, senior citizens just to point out a few.

Linda's mother instilled in her, early on, that she wanted her daughter to help others, a lesson Linda took to heart. Deeply troubled by her community's struggles, she was not content to sit on the sidelines lamenting the terrible conditions. One of the pervasive issues that plagued her community was hunger, and she decided that one person could indeed make a difference.

In a vast departure from collecting donations to feed the hungry, she took her concerns to the capital of Alabama: Birmingham. By foot. Yes, she walked from Brewton to Birmingham to inform the governor of the reality of food insecurity in his state, and to get help to resolve it.

Even though her troop had walked more than 200 miles to get there, the governor would not meet with them as he was said to have been in a meeting. But, to know Linda is to know that obstacles are to be overcome not to impede progress. The following year, at 52 years of age, she set her sights on Washington, DC to meet with President George Herbert Walker Bush.

It was her belief that hunger was not being seriously addressed and it was up to her to do something about it. As planned, she arrived in Washington, hopeful. However, that particular hope was dashed when the President would not meet with her team.

However, Alabama Congressman Barner assured her that he would give her letter to the President. So, her labor was not in vain, and she was proud of herself for what she accomplished. And her efforts to make a difference in her community have not gone unnoticed.

For Linda and Freddie, philanthropy enriches. They have proved that being rich isn't limited to abundant finances. Prior to opening the restaurant, the most Linda made annually was $15,000, yet she believes that helping others makes one rich. People can serve others by sharing what they have. It is key to joy and peace.

Have you ever helped the members of your community solve a need? We would love to hear your story. Send this article to your friends and family to brighten their day.