May's Make a Difference Award

WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - 90-year-old Annie Williams goes, goes, goes.

"Whenever they're open, I try to be there," Williams said.

Annie spends her time volunteering.

She helped start the Sisters of Providence Food Pantry in West Terre Haute almost 20 years ago.

"I came over with one of my granddaughter's Megan, and we come in and help paint and clean everything before it opened," she said.

It wasn't long until families most in need stopped in.

"They're so thankful to get the food because they really need it. We have families one up to eight and nine and ten in the family that need food."

Every year, more people need help

"It's going to get worse. It's not any better because we grow every week it seems like and get more families, we're supposed to have 77 today and I know we'll exceed that."

That's why volunteers like Annie, make such an impact.

"Marvelous, she's outstanding, she's got a smile for everyone and she treats everybody that same way. I don't know anybody could want a better friend and a better worker and a better volunteer," Sister Joseph Sillenworth said.

In 2003, Annie and the group expanded their services, opening a thrift shop.

Helping Hands is a place where people can buy clothing and household items at a very low price.

Annie's giving hungry families a place to turn, making a difference on dinner tables across the Wabash Valley every week.

"Oh, I don't know where they'd be," Williams said.

Annie and her team of volunteers plan to expand the food pantry this fall and move it into the former Saint Leonard's Parish.