The kitchen in the Ultimate Café went dark in mid-March. With food services suspended for the senior citizens served through the Fayette Senior Services in Fayette County, the shelves of stable food and frozen provisions sat untouched.
That’s when Fayette Senior Services (FSS) Care Manager Iris Harris remembered when she had referred some in need of emergency temporary shelter to Calvary Refuge Center in Forest Park.
When Harris checked to see if Calvary had a need for food donations, Calvary’s Executive Director Tawana Tarno said, “We are so thankful for all the food FSS was able to donate.
“We currently feed between 45 and 50 men, women and children three meals per day – breakfast, lunch and dinner. We’ll be able to provide nutritious meals for those in need with the food FSS has donated,” Tarno said.
The nonprofit organization for more than 30 years, Calvary Refuge Center usually depends on the generosity of churches whose members volunteer to provide, cook and serve evening meals.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Calvary has not allowed visitors to come in or out of their shelter.
Instead Calvary’s staff members have been preparing all three meals every day.
Calvary’s mission is “providing a safe, faith-based environment for individuals and families while providing the tools to transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency with dignity and pride,” according to their website.
Calvary’s shelter is available for a 21-night emergency shelter stay but can transition into a four-month, short-term housing option, providing meals, support and guidance.
Like FSS, Harris said, “We know that Calvary depends heavily on volunteers and interns from local colleges. This crisis, I know, has impacted their numbers in addition to the way they usually operate.
“Being able to donate food that was being unused at Fayette Senior Services and show support for other local nonprofits was an easy decision to make. We are thankful we could pay it forward like so many have done for us,” Harris added.
Information: Fayette Senior Services at 770-461-0813 or fayss.org, tawana@CalvaryRefuge.org
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