Apopka woman turns grief into love for others impacted by Covid-19

APOPKA, Fla. — Relatives of a woman who died from COVID-19 are giving back by sharing meals based on her recipes with dozens of other families impacted by the pandemic.

Farices Holmes- or “MawMaw” as she’s also known- died in the coronavirus outbreak at Ocoee Health Care Center earlier this year.

READ: Florida reports more than 8,300 new COVID-19 cases, 99 virus-related deaths

“If it wasn’t for this pandemic, I believe MawMaw would be here with us today,” Holmes’ granddaughter Cherlette McCullough says.

As McCullough’s family tries to mend their broken hearts, they couldn’t help but think of all the others who are sharing in their pain this year.

“Lack of finances, lack of food, family dying, dealing and coping with grief and loss...People are just tired right now. Not tired of carrying their load, just tired of what we’re all going through right now.”

READ: Another 4K Disney workers to lose jobs amid pandemic

So to help shoulder some of those burdens, McCullough thought of all the loving ingredients her “MawMaw” brought to the table, and cooked up a plan to help feed families in need.

“We wanted families to be a single parent...two or more children, and affected by COVID-19...and all our meals are gone.”

With the help of a local law group and social media friends, what started as a donation to five families quickly grew to 25, with each family receiving a bundle that includes a turkey and ham.

McCullough says sharing her grandmother’s giving heart with families across Central Florida on Thanksgiving has helped her grieve.

READ: Salvation Army prepares “to go” meals for thousands on Thanksgiving Day

“It just helps me in that mourning process to really release that hurt and start back feeling that joy again around the thoughts of MawMaw.”

In addition to the 25 families who received food packages, McCullough was also able to give two families gift cards so they could go shopping for themselves.

Cox Media Group