PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Jennifer Bolding has been a cross country truck driver for 10 years.
It bothered her to see so many people living on the streets — especially in her town.
“I would have people come up to my truck when I was parked at truck stops asking if I had food," said Bolding. "I have a fridge and a microwave in the back of my truck, so I’d make them a sandwich or easy mac and give them any extra deodorant or shampoos that I have.”
But Bolding wanted to do more.
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“I just fill up my car with clothes, toiletries, food, things like blankets, flashlights tents anything that someone living on the streets could use," said the Portsmouth native, "and I drive around looking for homeless people I can help.”
Earlier this year, she started a Facebook page called 'Cruisin’ to Help the Homeless' to bring awareness — and donations — to the issue.
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We told her we wanted to interview her about her work but she had no idea she was going to get an award... and another surprise.
We arranged for her parents to be here, who drove all the way from Tennessee, to see her become News 3's latest Everyday Hero.
Her parents tell me she’s happiest when she’s helping.
“Whether it's laundry for them or distributing stuff to them, whether its picking up donations from people, she is working all day long,” said Jennifer's mom, Paula Bolding.
“She has such a generous heart, we’re proud of her,” said her dad, Matt Bolding.
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Her good deeds didn’t start with the mobile pantry, however.
When Jennifer heard through Facebook that Summer Bray and her family lost everything in a house fire two years ago, she jumped in to help someone she’d never met.
“She just started bringing us resources, blankets, clothes,all kinds of things, toys for the kids,” said Bray, who has become friends with Jennifer.
And the surprises didn’t end there. News 3's partners with Southern Bank also give her a $300 gift card for her work with the community.
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And in true Everyday Hero fashion, she said she plans to use the money to help the homeless.
If you’d like to help this everyday hero with her mission, here is the link to her Facebook page.
