Community helping community

By Allen A. Buchanan, Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG –The Enoch Davis Community Center reopened last Thursday after being closed for the initial cleanup that took place at recreational facilities around the city. By noon, a conglomerate of organizations and city volunteers opened the auditorium as a community-dining hall for citizens to have a warm meal.

“We are really grateful that we did not get what we were expecting from Hurricane Irma,” said Women’s March Pinellas County Chair Lisa Perry.

From noon until 6:30 p.m., the center’s auditorium was buzzing with conversations while everyone enjoyed a warm meal. Some citizens had not eaten anything warm since their power went off days before.

“We realized people lost a lot of their refrigerated goods and are without work now…so we’re just trying to bring them together and relax. It’s been a very stressful week. We are grateful that we are here and still functioning.” Perry added.

During the peak period of Irma, many people who stayed in their homes questioned their decision like Perry.

“I was at home, and was wishing that I would have evacuated.”

Kitchen supervisor Barbara Scott said that she was just doing her part in sharing her gift as a chief.

“I’m here as a member of this community, of Pinellas County, of the human race,” said Scott.

Scott, who worked alongside Kofi Hunt, Lisa Perry and several sorority and fraternity volunteers enjoyed cooking for the community. But she was not alone in preparing meals.

“Many people from the community donated food,” said Perry. “Hot meals help bring some comfort and help make you realize that everything’s going to be alright.”

Perry and her team of volunteers served warm food both Thursday and Friday afternoon. They passed the baton of service to the community over to the Pamper St. Pete Celebration that was held last Saturday from 10-1 p.m.

To reach Allen Buchanan, email abuchanan@theweeklychallenger.com