This year, a modified version of Operation Home Cooking returned with fewer host families and trainees. Participants said they felt right at home with the host families who opened their doors for them.

SAN ANTONIO – Leaders across the U.S. urged Americans to scale back their Thanksgiving family gatherings during the pandemic. Still, Laura Honsaker said she already knew in October hers would definitely be much smaller without Operation Home Cooking happening this year. “I’m used to having either between six and 12 here, and this year, I can’t even have one,” Honsaker said. “It was happiness.”No reminders to the “nth degree.”Honsaker said she would tell the trainees, “This is your home for the day. “I’m praying that next year is going to be better,” she said.