Leavitt Great West's employee benefits team recently partnered with Wander Woman Mobile Meals during its annual service team meeting. The project gave employees an opportunity to support a local cause while helping people experiencing homelessness and others in need throughout the Billings community.
During the meeting, the team learned about Shay Montrose, founder of Wander Woman Mobile Meals, and the organization's outreach efforts. The nonprofit provides hot meals, essential supplies, and human connection to individuals facing challenging circumstances. Through regular outreach, Wander Woman Mobile Meals meets people where they are, helping address immediate needs with dignity and compassion.
Inspired by Montrose's mission, employees assembled hygiene and care packages filled with everyday necessities and handwritten notes of encouragement. Wander Woman Mobile Meals later distributed the packages during its weekend outreach efforts in downtown Billings.
The project took on added meaning when Simone Wilkinson, executive director of employee benefits, joined Montrose during a meal service and witnessed the distribution firsthand.
While serving meals, Wilkinson met a man who thanked her and gave her a worry stone. He explained that he collects stones, polishes them by hand, and gives them to people he meets.
"The fact that he, someone facing circumstances far more difficult than my own, thought to give me a worry stone really put a lot into perspective," said Wilkinson.
The experience was a humbling reminder that generosity can come from unexpected places.
"As I drove home, I saw people heading back to wherever they could find a place to stay warm and dry. I also saw our bright care packages scattered throughout downtown Billings, little pops of color on an overcast, chilly day. In that moment, I found myself thinking, 'We did that.'
"We spent a few hours putting those bags together, writing notes, and packing supplies. It seemed like a small thing at the time, but I was reminded that morning that small acts of kindness have a way of traveling much farther than we realize," said Wilkinson.
