Bengal News reporters
For most, the arrival of winter holidays is usually a joyous time filled with love, family, cheerfulness and warmth. But while many families across the West Side will soon be gathering around the table for their hot, homemade turkey dinners, many others will be gathering around the crowded doorways of soup kitchens and food pantries trying to evoke some sense of a holiday among themselves and their families.
Fortunately for them, many West Side organizations are keeping in line with the holiday spirit of giving.
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| Loaves and Fishes food pantry prepares for food a giveaway |
“Our food packages are so popular because they’re such a great deal,” said Marlyn Euler, a receptionist at the company. “Not only are you getting quality meats, vegetables, and fruits, but there are many options available such as gluten-free, or Thanksgiving themed dinners.”
For families looking for a hot meal, many West Side organizations will be holding dinner parties on or around the exact holiday dates. Concerned Ecumenical Ministry, a West Side human service agency, expected about 300 people this year at its annual Thanksgiving dinner. While its primary population resides on the West Side, anyone is welcome to a hot meal along with care packages consisting of socks, mittens, gloves, sweatshirts and other winter necessities.
Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen, which hosted the event in conjunction with the Concerned Ecumenical Ministries on Nov. 24, will be giving away free turkeys to families in need as well as referrals to a toy giveaway. Children can also receive backpacks filled with nutritious foods to eat during winter break in place of the free school lunches they’d normally receive during this time.
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| Loaves and Fishes makes holiday food giveaways "essential." |
West Side Community Services will also be hosting a youth Christmas party complete with music, food, entertainment and even an appearance from Santa Claus. Each child will be given a gift and the families who are most in need will receive food baskets. Community services also hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for all senior citizens in the community, many of who do not have much family to celebrate with. Along with dinner, guests were treated to live performances and bingo with gifts serving as prizes rather than money. Then on New Year’s Eve, 10 of the center’s most dedicated seniors will receive a complementary dinner at Salvatore’s Italian Garden located in Depew.
“We really like to do special things for our seniors,” said Danette Porto, human service coordinator. “For many, the center is the only real place for them to socialize and feel as if they’re still integrated in this society. They’ve really become the lifeline of this place and we like to show them we appreciate them.”
The free dinner at Salvatore’s along with many other facets of these holiday parties are truly made possible by the generous donations of the Western New Yorkers. Most, if not all, of the food served or given away is provided by the Food Bank of Western New York or from local businesses such as Tops or the Lexington Co-op. Individual donations range from foods grown in neighborhood gardens all the way to large monetary donations given by corporations or concerned citizens. Many organizations also team up to share money and resources when trying to give a holiday event.
While funding can sometimes be a hassle, the impact of these holiday events makes it all worth it.
“Words can’t explain the sheer joy you feel when you see the gratitude our clients display when attending these events,” Rieley-Goddard said. “It feels so good hearing a simple thank you and knowing how happy you’ve made someone’s day.”
Edited by Allison Dunckle and Kaitlin Fritz
The West Side Community Services does more than help people enjoy the holidays. The center also opens its doors throughout the year for children and the elderly. During the day, the center has become a social gathering spot for older members, who would otherwise be sitting at home. In addition to playing games such as bingo and listening to informational programs, the center also has transportation services to take seniors to their appointments, shopping trips, and various other errands.
ReplyDeleteOnce the school day is done, children from the local community are transported back and forth from the center for an after school program. While they are at the center, they are given a snack before doing homework. There is also a tutoring program to help assist them with their studies. But it’s not all work and no play; there is a game room and computer lab for them to have a little fun once they have completed their assignments. -- Amanda O'Leary
If there’s one thing we know about the West Side, it’s probably that it’s the most diverse region in the city of Buffalo comprised of many different racial/ethnic groups from all over the globe. However, due to the high levels of diversity, one must wonder how soup kitchens and food pantries introduce the western concepts of Christmas and Thanksgiving to newly arrived refugees. According to Catherine Reily-Goddard from Concerned Ecumenical Ministry, refugees are already familiar with the concept of an end of the year feast, and the organization is non-denominational because it doesn’t emphasize Christian aspects of the holidays. The primary difference is in the types of foods served, because the West Side organization tries to serve neutral foods, such as salad, rice, pizza and wings when hosting holiday parties so nobody is left out. -- Sametra Polkah-Toe
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