November Team Member Spotlight: Lisa Albertus – Feeding Hope, One Holiday at a Time
For many families, Thanksgiving and Christmas are filled with abundance—full tables, full stomachs and full hearts. But for countless people in our communities, the holidays look very different. Six years ago, Massey Services team member Lisa Albertus felt that contrast in a powerful way. What she didn’t yet know was that one simple idea would grow into Feed the Need—a volunteer-driven movement that now touches hundreds of lives each year.
How Feed the Need Began
The story starts on Thanksgiving Day, 2019. While Lisa was putting away what she jokingly calls “an absurd amount of leftovers,” her friend and music-event partner Jason called with an idea.
“Why don’t we go out on Christmas Day,” he said, “pick a spot where less fortunate people are, and serve them some food? I’d rather do something productive than overeat and waste food.”
Lisa didn’t hesitate.
“I’m definitely in.”
Over the next few weeks, the two began planning their first small outreach effort. Using their own money, they purchased hamburgers, hot dogs, cases of water, chips, paper goods—everything they needed for a simple holiday cookout. They chose a spot in St. Petersburg and invited a handful of friends to join them.
On Christmas morning, bright and early, they loaded Lisa’s small SUV with a grill, propane tanks, coolers and folding tables. Jason brought his guitar and a speaker. By 8 a.m., the smell of a sizzling grill drifted into the air, and people slowly started gathering.
For the next four to five hours, they cooked, served, talked, hugged, listened and welcomed every person who stopped by. By the end, everything was gone.
That day changed Lisa forever.
“The experience left a print on my heart and mind,” she says. “Not just feeding the less fortunate but giving them a place to feel welcomed and cared about—even if it was just a curb in a parking lot.”
Growing a Movement, One Year at a Time
From that very first Christmas, Lisa and Jason knew they wanted to do more. By the next day, they were already planning for the following year—this time on Thanksgiving.
Word spread. Volunteers multiplied. Donations trickled in from friends and supporters.
Year 1: About 50 people served.
Year 2: Over 100.
By year three, Feed the Need had grown so much that Lisa and Jason expanded to a second location. The effort had become contagious for friends and family. Volunteers showed up with food, grills, tents, generators, tables, and more. Others who couldn’t attend donated money, cooked meals, shopped for supplies, or helped spread the word.
Despite its growth, Feed the Need has always been powered entirely by volunteers. There are no paid staff, no large sponsors—just everyday people giving what they can, expecting nothing in return.
A Heartfelt Milestone
By year five, Feed the Need reached new heights. They held their very first fundraiser, with local bands donating their time and a venue opening its doors free of charge.
The result?
Three locations. Over 600 people served.
What began as two friends with a grill and a handful of hamburgers had turned into a community-wide movement of compassion.
Each year, the work begins in August and continues nonstop until mid-December. “There’s no way to count the hours,” Lisa says. “With both of us working full-time jobs, it’s a labor of love.”
Community Support — Including from Massey Services
Lisa is proud to share that her Massey Services team has been part of this journey every year.
“My service centers have donated generously, and neighboring service centers help fill the donation boxes I drop off,” she says. “That support means so much.”
The Magic of the Day
Trying to describe the atmosphere of the event is difficult for Lisa. She calls it “indescribable”—a blend of gratitude, connection, and shared humanity.
It’s the conversations.
The hugs.
The stories.
The live music that volunteers bring to lift spirits.
The smiles on both sides of the serving table.
Every year, volunteers return—and bring even more people with them. The ripple effect is undeniable.
“We grow each year because of these selfless volunteers,” Lisa says.
Looking Ahead: Year Six and Beyond
As Feed the Need enters its sixth year, Lisa and Jason are focusing their efforts on one location—an area with great need but low turnout last year. Their hope is to shine more light on this community and reach even more people.
Their next goal: securing funding for an official 501(c)(3). With nonprofit status, they’ll be able to partner with businesses and expand donations, continuing to grow their ability to serve.
A Reminder of What One Idea Can Do
Lisa’s story is a powerful example of how compassion can spread—how one spark on an ordinary Thanksgiving can ignite a movement that feeds hundreds and warms countless hearts.
At Massey Services, we’re proud to spotlight Lisa not just for her hard work, but for the humanity, dedication and hope she brings to her community.
Thank you, Lisa, for inspiring all of us.
If you’re interested in working for Massey Services, we want to hear from you. Click here to find positions we have available and apply today.