Elyria’s Constance Thomas, also known as “Aunt Connie,” began providing Thanksgiving dinners to locals in need during the coronavirus pandemic.
From there, Thomas, 72, began inviting anyone who was in need of a hot meal for the holidays.
Known as Cousins to Cousins, Thomas considers her home an open kitchen.
From 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 11, the clubhouse at The Cottages at Riverview, 550 Sommer Way in Elyria, will transform into a Thanksgiving meal delivery station.
“I don’t charge anything,” Thomas said. “All I ask is you come get your plate, if you’re able.
“If you’re not able, we’ll deliver it.”
Thomas said the inspiration for Cousins to Cousins struck when she first moved to the Elyria area.
After receiving food from her new neighbors as a housewarming present, she decided she wanted to give back to the community.
“When I first moved out here, I was getting a lot of food,” Thomas said. “My (neighbors) had left me a gift on my porch.
“Because I did get so much, and I am by myself, I said (that) I’m going to cook, and they said, ‘OK, we’ll help you.'”
The initiative truly took off in 2021, Thomas said, near the peak of the pandemic.
She said she wanted to help people on the streets of Elyria who might not have a place to go for a hot meal during the winter.
“I can’t give you any money, but I can feed you,” Thomas said. “The first year that I had it, was COVID, so I couldn’t go to the office, our little clubhouse.
“So, we just did in the garage.”
Thomas said she believes everyone can use a hot meal.
Everyone in the neighborhood can smell when she starts cooking, and she said she welcomed anyone and everyone wanting to stop by.
“Everybody knows what time I cook; I cook every day,” Thomas said. “I just felt like, well, everybody could use a plate.
“I don’t know everybody’s circumstances. Some people might have it better than me … whatever I have, I’m just helping.”
Thomas said she is “humbled” by the support she has received from the community, through just three years of Cousins to Cousins.
She noted that this year, she received food donations from people around Elyria who were willing to support the cause.
“I’m very humbled that at my age, I’m still here,” Thomas said. “Here I am at 72, and still able to do this for others.
“The first year, I had only 36 (meals). This is the first year that anybody has donated anything to me. I’ve been doing it, and because I do it, people are liking it.”
The meals are free of charge, and all are welcome.
