Moms with huge broods are getting quite a bit of attention these days (we're looking at you Octomom!), but there's a mother out there you haven't heard of who makes Jon and Kate's family look tiny and even has the Duggars beat. Meet Louise Hunter, mom to 21 children and now a grandmother to 61 and a great-grandmother to 55 little ones.

Nearly 40 years ago while she and her children were facing eviction from their home, a stranger offered the Hunters an 18-room house for just $1.00 in Racine, Wisconsin. This act of generosity compelled Mrs. Hunter to help others as well. We spoke with the 74-year-old to find out how she – even with a 21 kids to take care of – managed to find time to give to those in need.

ParentDish: Did you always know you wanted a large family?

Louise Hunter: No, I didn't, but after I had three kids -- I loved those kids so much -- I just kept on having more kids.

PD: You opened a homeless shelter, called the Love and Charity Mission, almost thirty years ago. Was it hard to give so much of yourself to others and still have time for your children?

LH: I didn't stop sharing just because I had all those kids. They had to be involved in everything I did. I couldn't help all those people myself. God gave me all these children to help me.



PD: Raising 21 children has to be financially challenging no matter how much money you have. How did you do it?

LH: Parents got to take what they have and make due. I didn't have money, but I'd share and give what I could to others that didn't have anything. And as I shared I got more! My kids were not able to buy lunch at school, so they would come home for lunch, but they'd always bring somebody home with them. I'd share the little food that we had and prepare it for all of them.

PD: What advice can you give to other mothers who have large families?

LH: There is a blessing in giving. Reach out and help others even if you are busy and your blessings will come back to you.

PD: Now that your kids are grown how do you spend your time?

LH: I'm in Racine, getting up at five o'clock every morning and feeding the homeless and giving people furniture and clothes.

To learn more about Louise Hunter, read "Love and Charity" by Dennis James Woods.