Katie Lewis and Ron Davis, along with their young son, Dakota, were three of the more than 60 people that had come to the Daniel Pitino Shelter-Henderson’s Friendsgiving meal at the Henderson County Public Library by 12:30 p.m. Friday.
“I just think it’s awesome they do this,” Lewis said, and added that it gives “people a chance to have a Thanksgiving meal.”
Melissa Collier, the homeless case manager for the local Daniel Pitino Shelter, said she expected that another 60 would come to the meal by the time the serving of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, mac and cheese, green beans and rolls ended at 2 p.m.
She said at the Homeless Coalition of Henderson’s fall count of the homeless, which occurred on Oct. 26, there were 190 people counted. Though other organizations have discussed a rising need for assistance in the community, Collier said the need for those unhoused is consistent and always at a high level.
It’s a meal that Collier wanted to start hosting when she took the role of the local case manager, and now she said the annual meal is in its third year.
Collier, like Lewis, said it allows some people to have warm Thanksgiving meals that may not have been able to otherwise. It also allows people to sit down and speak to one another and meet each other, while also allowing them to meet Collier and others connected to the Daniel Pitino Shelter.
Lewis and Davis said they were living in the Downtown Motel for some time, and Collier assisted them with keeping their paperwork in order as they looked for something better. When they found out they would be having a child, they decided that they’d need a different address than the Downtown Motel to raise Dakota, Davis said.
Luckily, they were able to find a rental home through a friend. Up next, they hope to qualify for a Habitat For Humanity home in the future, Davis said.
About Friday’s meal: “It was good,” Lewis said.
