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PHOENIX, Ariz. (WJW) — Ten years ago, Arizona grandmother Wanda Dench sent a text message to what she believed was her grandson’s phone number, inviting him over for Thanksgiving dinner.
The text, however, ended up going to a then-17-year-old teen she didn’t know.
As the story goes, Jamal Hinton was at school when he received the message, and he responded trying to clear up the confusion. To his surprise, he was invited to Dench’s house for a plate, and to her surprise, he came over.
In this Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016 photo, Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench take a selfie together after meeting at Wanda’s home for Thanksgiving dinner, in Mesa, Ariz. Dench, who accidentally texted Hinton, a stranger, an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner made good on her offer, greeting the teen visitor with a hug and an oven full of food after their story swept through social media. (Tom Tingle/The Arizona Republic via AP) 
Wanda Dench accidentally invited a stranger to her Thanksgiving dinner via text message — and remained true to her promise of hosting him. Jamal Hinton joined Dench and her family for dinner. (Tom Tingle/The Arizona Republic via AP) 
In this Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016 photo, Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench take a selfie together after meeting at Wanda’s home for Thanksgiving dinner, in Mesa, Ariz. Dench, who accidentally texted Hinton, a stranger, an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner made good on her offer, greeting the teen visitor with a hug and an oven full of food after their story swept through social media. (Tom Tingle/The Arizona Republic via AP)
Now, through the loss of Dench’s husband, COVID in 2020 and a cancer diagnosis for Dench, the unlikely friends confirmed they are once again meeting up for this Thanksgiving, as they have annually since 2016.
This year, the pair is teaming up with Green Giant, the canned and frozen vegetable company, to help with their Thanksgiving meal. People can follow along with their meal plans right here.
The two recently spoke with the Today Show, explaining they are both happy and healthy (Dench said she is cancer free) and feel blessed to continue to bring joy to others. They admitted they didn’t know if people would still want to hear from them, 10 years later, but decided they were getting together anyway.
Dench said their gathering reminds “people how awesome Thanksgiving can be. That it’s all about good food and family and loved ones and getting together with conversation.”
“We [get] to actually inspire people, and that’s all I want to — inspire people to do better, or to step out of your comfort zone and try something new,” Hinton said.