In Hagerstown, Maryland, Deirdre “Mama Dee” Norris is proving that one person’s compassion can transform an entire community.
Through her nonprofit, It’s a Blessing to be a Blessing, Norris has spent more than a decade feeding the hungry five days a week — a mission that began in her own kitchen.
Founded in 2013, the organization now operates out of a dedicated facility, serving bagged lunches throughout the week and a hot meal every Thursday.
Each week, hundreds of residents line up not just for food, but for the sense of dignity and hope that Norris provides.
“It makes my heart happy,” Norris said of her work. Known affectionately as “Mama Dee,” she has become a mother figure far beyond her own three children, extending love and care to countless others across the city.
The impact of her nonprofit goes beyond meals. Many who once relied on It’s a Blessing to be a Blessing for survival have since rebuilt their lives.
One former recipient, Leann Santiago, recalled how Norris’s program helped her transition from homelessness to stability.
“It’s a Blessing fed me and kept me,” Santiago told WUSA-9. She now has a home and a full-time job.
For Norris, the work is about more than food security.
“Everybody is going through something,” she said. “Whether they tell you or not, everyone is going through something.”
Her vision continues to grow, with dreams of expanding resources and support for the Hagerstown community.
Norris remains committed to her mission of feeding both stomachs and souls.
