Food bank shares holiday spirit

Volunteers' giving extends to Christmas Day itself.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Every year, Gleaners Food Bank volunteers work hard on Christmas Day to make the holiday merrier for the city's neediest residents.
"A lot of people on Christmas Day are depressed," said Joe Lordi, food bank executive director, explaining why his organization serves dinner to more than 300 people and gives gifts to about 180 children in the basement social hall of St. Patrick Church on Oak Hill Avenue.
"We're happy to be able to provide a need on Christmas Day, and we look forward to it every year," Lordi said. Gleaners has sponsored the event for the past 17 Christmases -- the past seven of them at St. Patrick's. Volunteers donate the gifts and serve the food.
Sunday's meal included ham, turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, punch and desserts, including pumpkin pie that was donated by the Italian Baking Co.
Expressing appreciation
Among the most grateful recipients of the meal and gifts were Linda Cochrane of Youngstown and her five children -- Fabian Whitted, 17; Shaleda Whitted, 15; Tameka Carter, 11; Jasmine Collins, 8, and Jawan Collins, 5.
"Finances are kind of tight, especially with five kids," said Cochrane, who has participated in the event with her children for the past three years.
Three of the children had double reasons to celebrate because their birthdays also fall during the holiday season. Jawan's birthday was Thursday; Jasmine turned 8 on Sunday, and Shaleda will turn 16 on Friday.
"They're very generous here. I love it. They give out great gifts for the kids," Cochrane said.
"It's real nice and generous of them to give us the gifts like that. They have holiday spirit," Tameka said, adding that the meal was delicious.
Gift traditions
At each year's event, Gleaners distributes gifts for boys and girls from babies to teenagers. Every child gets one large and one small gift. The children's mothers get poinsettias, and every family receives a fruit basket. Shirts, coats and blankets are given to adults in need.
A drive at Cardinal Mooney High School collected toys and used coats to be given away Sunday, and CZ Sports of Detroit donated new NFL shirts.
Among the volunteers helping to serve the meal each Christmas are James E. Fortune Sr., Youngstown City Council president, and Councilman Artis Gillam Sr., D-1st.
"I bring my family and let them see people who are in need," Fortune said, adding that he tries to give something back to the community through his efforts at the annual event. "I've been blessed for years. I'll have another Christmas when I go back home. Those folks who are here today -- for some this may be the only meal they might get on Christmas Day," he said.
"I do it because it's just the right thing to do, and it's the Christian thing to do," Fortune said of his holiday volunteer effort. "It's just gratifying for me to be here and do what I do," he concluded.