LEAWOOD, Kan. -- While the rush is on at metro grocery stores to get ready for Thanksgiving day, one local family has decided to take their holiday meal and share the holiday on Craigslist.

At the McEllroy family kitchen in Johnson County, the last-minute preparations were under way on Wednesday afternoon. Mom, Daphne, an avid cook, decided to do something different this year. Instead of having leftovers filling up the refrigerator for days, she decided to share.

McEllroy posted a listing on Craigslist to share the family's Thanksgiving feast with people who might be in need this holiday season. “For those of you with pride in the way of a warm meal know this is a gift, not a hand out, always a hand up,” she wrote.

“There is nothing more that warms my heart than preparing a huge dinner," she said. "I absolutely love cooking, however there are only two of us."

It didn't take much time, she said, for the e-mails to come in from people touched by their posting.

"It was really cool," McEllroy said. "I kind of thought I'd get some crackpot. I didn't. Here's one. 'I just want to say God bless you and your family for opening your home to the less fortunate. It warms my heart that there are still caring individuals out there.'"

E-mails of support for the idea have come in, but also ones taking up the offer, including one from a family with three kids and both parents are out of work.

"I think they’ve got food, but it wasn’t going to be a big spread, so they’re coming," McEllroy said.

Following is a sampling of the e-mails McEllroy received from her Craigslist posting:

I just read your posting and it made me want to cry!!! What a kind and generous human being you are to help those less fortunate. I also am very blessed and am thankful everyday. People like you make me know there are still good people in this world. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Good Day,

I had seen your ad on Craiglist and I just wanted to commend you on your open heart... Wish there were more people in the world like you!!! May God Bless you and you have a great Thanksgiving!!!! Just wanted to tell you, Bless you for blessing strangers as you are. You are a special person! Wish there were more people in the world like you!

I just wanted to say, God Bless you and your family for opening up your hearts and home to the less fortunate. It warms my heart knowing there are still caring individuals out there. Keep up the great work and Happy Thanksgiving.

I do have friends that have offered their home to me for Thanksgiving, however, I just wanted to send you a note and tell you what a blessing you are in such a time. I know why I came home to KC after living in Iowa for 2 years. The spirit of the holidays has always been so rich here.

We are moving on the first and I hope in the near future I can do this same thing for someone else.

May you be blessed with riches beyond imagination ... Have a wonderful Thanksgiving

Good Morning!

Although I have been blessed enough to be able to have my family over for dinner tomorrow, I just wanted to write and commend you for what you’re trying to do for someone in need. I read your ad and it really touched my heart to think that there are still wonderful people out there that sincerely just want to help someone.

I am a single Mom who struggles daily to make ends meet, but like you, I realize that God Almighty has seen me through SO much this year and I am so very grateful to Him for keeping my family safe and a roof over our heads.

Prayers go out to you and your mate for your safety and prosperity in the coming year and beyond. Even though I don’t know your name, I know that God will know who the prayer is for. God bless and keep you and I pray your Thanksgiving goes well!

Miriam