On Sunday, Nov. 19, close to 200 seniors and their families enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal free of charge at the Enoch Davis Center courtesy of the Gathering of Women, Inc.
BY RAVEN JOY SHONEL | Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG – The ladies at the Gathering of Women (GOW) celebrated Thanksgiving with the community once again this year. On Sunday, Nov. 19, close to 200 seniors and their families enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal free of charge at the Enoch Davis Center.
Sunday’s event marked the sixth year the ladies have been providing seniors with a Thanksgiving meal and a chance to fellowship with one another. This year, however, the nonprofit had some help.
The organization’s weekly pantry delivery to seniors and the infirm who cannot leave their homes starts on Wednesdays and is delivered throughout Pinellas County, not just St. Pete.
Chris Lampley, manager of the Enoch Davis Center, approached GOW President Samantha Richardson Hardy about utilizing the City of St. Petersburg’s Park and Recreation Department.
“Of course, we can do it by ourselves, but when you have another group coming in and helping to support you, bringing other resources in for the seniors, it’s a blessing,” said Richardson Hardy.
This year, organizations such as the Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas, Community Law and a few healthcare centers helped sponsor and provide resources for the hungry masses.
“They all did something to sponsor us this year,” said Richardson Hardy. “Financially, it was wonderful because normally it’s coming out of our pocket. But when you have that kind of support coming in, the city and the sponsorships, it helped us out tremendously.”
It warms Richardson Hardy’s heart to see so many people eating and fellowshipping. She said she’s “always worried about seniors not having enough food.”
GOW’s food pantry is open to the public on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 to 1 p.m. A box of food per household is given away at WINGS Fellowship Church, 1801 34th St. S, St. Pete.
“For many seniors, this is the only Thanksgiving they will have. So, this is a way for us to give back to them.”
With skyrocketing costs in housing, medication, and food, many seniors must skip meals to make ends meet. GOW knows seniors’ food needs better than anyone because they witness it weekly through their pantry.
“I know that they don’t eat because [we] open at 11 a.m., and they’re outside at 9 a.m.,” said Richardson Hardy.
The organization’s weekly pantry delivery to seniors and the infirm who cannot leave their homes starts on Wednesdays and is delivered throughout Pinellas County, not just St. Pete. Thursdays and Fridays are set aside for the community, so from 11 to 1 p.m., a box of food per household is given away at WINGS Fellowship Church, 1801 34th St. S, St. Pete.
Richard Hardy said they were able to give enough food that could last a week, but with such high demands, the boxes only contain about three or four days’ worth.
“Normally, I can give a week, but I have lines doubling up around the corners now,” she explained. “I make sure that everyone gets something. If we run out of meat, we’re still going to substitute it with something.”
The St. Pete Free Clinic supplies the food, and if the clinic is short, the ladies reach into their pockets and provide for the seniors.
“One week, I had no meat for my deliveries. I was like, ‘Mm-mm, they’re going to get some meat.’ I went to the store. I’ll get my blessings back,” she said, adding that they make sure the seniors have food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and plenty of fresh vegetables.
The Gathering of Women is planning its annual Christmas dinner for seniors on Dec. 17 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, 1600 54th Ave. S. The Christmas dinner will come with entertainment and gifts for everyone, so you must register by emailing them at thegatheringofwomen2@gmail.com so no one leaves empty-handed.
Also, if you are a senior or homebound and need food or want to donate, contact Richardson Hardy at 727-433-1352 or email the organization at thegatheringofwomen2@gmail.com.
Photo Gallery
