DETROIT – A Detroit ministry gave away 500 meals to anyone in need on Christmas, supporting restaurants while doing it. The Habit of Kindness Food-raiser was provided by Deo Gratias Ministries. READ: Detroit convent sets up charity that helps local businesses, families stay afloatOn Friday, the meals were given away at two locations in Detroit to anyone who needed a Christmas dinner. The ministry raised more than $30,000. And we’ll do it again when people need a good meal,” said Sister Shelley Jeffrey with Deo Gratias Ministries.

DETROIT – The pandemic changed the course of ministry for a Detroit convent in spring when more than a dozen nuns lost their lives in about a month. The nuns found a way to protect themselves from COVID-19 while still serving their community, but they’re now asking for help for a special project. For a growing number of people, coronavirus has been a humbler -- those who’ve never needed help before have found courage to ask for it. The nuns aren’t asking restaurants for food donations but instead are raising funds to actually pay for the meals to help keep area eateries open. Because the nuns are paying the restaurants, it helps them stay afloat because the restaurants can pay to bring back some of their workers.