PAT LAVINS

In April of this year, Our Father’s Table celebrated its 25^th anniversary in providing one hot meal a day to those in our community who often go hungry.  The organization was founded at the impetus of now deceased J. Ralph Lundy who retired from the Vero Press Journal in 1988 and began his advocacy work on behalf of the people of Gifford.

Today the organization is headed by Lydia Forbes who works tirelessly to serve at least one hot meal to approximately 75 people daily.  Thus, you will most often find her at the Mt. Zion Church, 4221 28^th Avenue serving the poor in our local community.  Lydia states, “Meals are served from 12 to 1 p.m. weekdays and the needs could not be met without the support of many volunteers and the charitable contributions of the community.”  She has a roster of 50 volunteers to fill the need of at least ten volunteers a day.  If more volunteers were available, they could also meet the needs of the homebound in the community.  Another impediment to being able to deliver meals is the costs of repairing an old van and gasoline.  Instead of dreaming about toys under the Christmas tree, Lydia dreams of a new van being donated.

Our Father’s Table is one of the few charities in our community with zero overhead.  They are entirely dependent on the generosity of the community which is what makes meeting their goals so difficult at Thanksgiving and Christmas time.  The Christmas meal will be served from noon to 2 p.m. on Christmas Day.  The main course will be ham so anyone who wants to donate a large ham is encouraged to do so. Also, anyone who wants to donate an already prepared dish or dessert is welcome to do so mid-day on December 23 or 24^th.

Lydia encourages anyone who wants to serve others during the upcoming holiday season to consider sending a check made out to Our Father’s Table to P. O. 6114, Vero Beach, Fl 32961.  Your donation is tax deductible because the organization is a 501(c) (3) recognized charitable enterprise.

Also, anyone who has leftover food from their family Christmas meal that they would like to donate, they can drop off things such as turkey, hams, casseroles, and desserts between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Thursday, December 26^th.

Volunteerism is a couple thing for Lydia, a retired school teacher, and her husband, Paul, a retired accountant.  If volunteering your time to a worthwhile organization is your New Year‘s Resolution, Lydia and Paul would be glad to meet you and discuss how you could make a contribution to address the growing poverty in our community. They can be reached at: 772-562-6268 or 772-228-9845.

What better gift could you give to yourself than helping your fellow human being.