CADILLAC —Two Cadillac women, with developmental delays, have come up with a way to give back to a community.
They are starting up a sack lunch program for veterans and anyone who wants or needs a free meal.
Nikki Padgett and Jessie Duddles, both in their 40’s, have mental impairments that put them at the age of 14 developmentally.
The two live with Padgett’s mom, Joann Padgett but have jobs and do things independently of Joann, including a once a week shopping trip with their caseworker, Angie Boven
Boven said the two ladies were taking weekly shopping trips with her to work on their social skills when the two had decided recently they had enough stuff and wanted to try something new.
“It all started in the little kitchen of their mom, the guardian. We were thinking of different ways to expand and what we could do and stay in the community. and I threw the idea out there. How about helping something, whether it be animals, people? And it took off like wildfire.,” said Boven.
She said soon ‘1 Meal At a Time’ was born. The program provides sack lunches and gives them out every Monday from 11 to 1 across from the Wexford County Public Library.
Nikki’s mom Joann said both women have their challenges, but they have jobs with the help of Hope Network.
“Jess is on the spectrum of autism and has anxiety and a lot of depression, which is certainly an issue we deal with almost daily. Nikki is just she’s disabled as far as her chronological logical age. She’s 41 and Jessie’s 47,” said Joann.
Joann said it’s been great to witness them both come out of their shells, passing out lunches and getting to know people.
“It just makes me happy to see them doing something other than sitting in their rooms. They don’t watch TV at all. They sit on the front porch and talk,” said Joann.
Jessie said her favorite part is handing out the sandwiches and making a difference in the community.
“It’s been great. It was hard on the first day. It was a nervous wreck for me and Nikki.. And it’s easier today,” said Jessie.
Nikki said she’s also enjoying the experience, especially making people smile. When asked if she was getting a lot of smiles. She responded that she was.
Boven said it not only helps those in need but also helps the two ladies.
“Their depression doesn’t seem to be as high for situations. And if they get a situation that they feel is really stressful, they’re focusing more on this project to where it’s just not even focusing on them. It takes their mind to other things and their mind is just going, ‘How can I help? Next, what can we do next?,” said Boven.
Joann said the leftover sandwiches went to Cadillac’s Salvation Army for the New Hope Shelter. Padgett said they are still taking donations, monetary or food to keep the program going. For more info on how to donate, please click here.
