“I live by myself. I’m all alone. The kids live too far away to visit me for the holidays.”
Such are the words of Gary Werts, who said he has now found himself at home at The Friendship Table in Bradford.
The other folks at the facility aren’t strangers. “This is my family,” he said.
And on Wednesday, Werts, surrounded by friends and many other area residents, enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal with all of the trimmings. This was his first Thanksgiving dinner at The Friendship Table.
When he moved to the city about a year ago, Werts didn’t know The Friendship Table existed until some friends prompted him to go. And he’s loved the atmosphere ever since, Werts said.
“I was wondering how I was going to make it through the day,” he said.
Werts said he enjoys every meal served at The Friendship Table, but he indicated he particularly loved the one served on Wednesday.
For his friend named Dennis, who sat across the dinner table from him, he said that The Friendship Table helps in time of need, and that’s something he is grateful for this Thanksgiving.
Dennis said he loves to socialize at The Friendship Table, and he said he always feels welcome at the facility.
“It’s good food,” said Bob of Bradford, who was chowing down on a full Thanksgiving meal.
As he was enjoying the feast, Bob said he is thankful that he is alive and that his children are healthy.
Meanwhile, Sherry Farnham of Bradford said she enjoys being at The Friendship Table, since she lives alone. The facility is her second home, and The Friendship Table provides her an avenue to spend time with other individuals.
For this Thanksgiving, she said she is happy to be alive and that she is able to move around. She said she is trying to not act her age.
“If I did, I’d be in a wheelchair,” she added.
Over the span of two hours Wednesday, people flocked to The Friendship Table, waiting in the line for food. Individuals were also offered winter hats.
The Thanksgiving meals were financially supported by Shults Toyota, and staff there served the food Wednesday as well.
“I think it’s extremely important. It’s not just the meals. It’s getting everybody together,” said Barbara Shufran, chair of The Friendship Table board.
Each day, the facility sees about 120 to 150 people, five days a week. And as of the end of October, The Friendship Table has served 28,574 meals so far for the year, and officials are expecting to reach 40,000 for 2016. In 2017, The Friendship Table will mark its 20th year.
Shufran said that individuals who go to The Friendship Table “take pride” in the facility. It’s their facility, she said.
Thanksgiving isn’t the only holiday celebrated at The Friendship Table. Officials will also host a Christmas party, Dec. 23.
(Editor’s note: The Era offered anonymity to guests at the soup kitchen, leaving them to choose if their names were used in the paper.)
