Hundreds of Bradford-area residents down on their luck have a reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving. As they celebrate the holiday, their dinner plates will be full, thanks to the efforts of local organizations like the Bradford YWCA.
“Truly, I am so pleased to be able to work in a community that works together as a team, and I have been met with this approach consistently since I started at the YWCA,” according to Executive Director Vanessa Castano.
The YWCA Bradford opened its doors Friday for its annual Thanksgiving dinner, serving over 75 people, including shelter staff, at its West Corydon Street facility.
Tables were lined wall-to-wall in the gymnasium of the YWCA, where the event was held. Festive cloth, turkey decorations, paper pilgrims and fall leaves set the atmosphere with a welcoming Thanksgiving feel.
“We’re so glad to be here, serving our fellow community members,” Jamie, a shelter staff member, said to a table of smiling ladies, some of whom had children who were wide-eyed at all of the food.
The dinner was a full Thanksgiving feast, complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, corn, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce and rolls. A huge punch bowl was provided for beverages.
And an adjoining table held desserts of all kinds, including pumpkin pie, blueberry pie, pecan pie, cornbread, cookies, brownies and cake.
“I haven’t had pumpkin pie in years,” a male attendee commented as he cut himself a slice, topped with fresh whipped topping.
One woman in attendance said that she herself had been helped by the YWCA’s Housing and Employment Services (HES) several years ago. Though she’s reached financial stability now, she still keeps in touch with the staff at the YWCA and always looks forward to the holiday dinner.
“As a matter of fact, I came down to the shelter two weeks ago looking to volunteer as a server for the dinner, but they were fully staffed with volunteers — and I just think that’s wonderful,” she stated. “They did a fantastic job. The food was delicious and plentiful, and it’s so nice to be able to share the experience with others from the community. We could all use a helping hand every now and again, and that’s what this is all about.”
By the end of the meal, every dish was empty, and the attendees all shared in cleaning up after each other.
“It’s humbling to be a part of something so much bigger than one person or one agency,” Castano said of the event. “And it’s nice to bring holiday cheer to those who could use it. Sometimes just coming together with others during the holidays can really lift one’s spirit.”
About 120 families are served every month at the food pantry at the YWCA Bradford, an amount that doesn’t change just because of Thanksgiving, Castano explained previously.
“We find that hungry people are just as hungry the Wednesday before Thanksgiving as they are on Thanksgiving day,” she said. “So it’s nice to be able to spread that offering out to those who need it, whether it’s during the holidays or just a normal day. If you’re fortunate enough to have the opportunity to help those less fortunate, you have the responsibility to do just that.”
And that shared sense of care and community was abundant as people left the YWCA on Friday, full and uplifted by the time of thanks.
