After a tornado devastated the Mountain Woods Lake community near Hayden on April 27, it seemed like food was falling from the sky to feed volunteers and those in need.

Phillip and Mona Downs felt fortunate that they had only roof damage and trees toppled in the storm; many of their neighbors’ homes were destroyed.

Mona Downs said her family wanted to do something to help.

“I said, we could feed people,” she said. “God told me to do it and I said OK. He just provided — every single day somebody was knocking at my door.”

Downs said her church, Hayden United Methodist, offered to help pay for Downs to feed people. But when others found out she was helping feed hungry workers and storm victims, the donations started raining in.

Rock Creek Church of Christ dropped off barbecue plates, the Knights of Columbus took spaghetti, and Ceecee’s Country Kitchen donated food.

“Ceecee’s gave food away for days (at its own restaurant on Hwy. 160). Some of that ended up at my front porch,” Downs said. “Food started pouring in like manna from the sky. … I didn’t have to do anything but open the door.”

Downs estimates that 200 people came through her doors to eat last week. Among them were United Way workers, members of volunteer fire departments, employees with Alabama Power and a crew of 20 people with Michigan Power.

“We showed them some real Southern hospitality,” said Downs’ mother-in-law Ruth Downs.

Mona Downs said her family is enjoying reaching out.

“My children have always been givers. They’re the kind of kids who want to do things and want to help out,” she said.

The Downs family also got to receive from the outpouring of generosity that has been demonstrated since the storms swept Alabama. The United Way sent 50 youth from Asbury United Methodist Church to help clean up the Downs’ yard; they had 80 trees blown over in the storm.

“It was overwhelming to my husband and me,” Downs said. “He works all day and all night. We didn’t know how long it would take us to clean up.”

Downs was not sure on Monday how long her makeshift soup kitchen would remain in operation.

“As long as they’re working up here in our area, we (will) keep our doors open,” she said. “We still have lots of food.”