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MLK Day of Service: Feeding the homeless

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Weilyn Wingfield, director of "What Can We Do Foundation" (right) purchased, prepared and served food to the homeless at St. Vincent de Paul in Lancaster Wednesday morning as part of the city's 6th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
Weilyn Wingfield, director of the “What Can We Do Foundation” (right) purchased, prepared and served food to the homeless at St. Vincent de Paul in Lancaster Wednesday morning as part of the city’s 6th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
About right volunteers from the organization took part in the service project.
About eight volunteers from the “What Can We Do Foundation” took part in the service project.

LANCASTER – Nearly 150 homeless and down-on-their-luck residents were treated to a home-cooked feast Wednesday morning.

The meal came courtesy of the “What Can We Do Foundation.”

The organization purchased, prepared and served food to the homeless at St. Vincent de Paul in Lancaster as part of the 6th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

“We’ve been cooking since 2 o’clock this morning,” said volunteer Toni Wingfield. “We have spaghetti, rolls, salad with dressing, cheese enchiladas and corn.”

Many residents went back for a second helping.
Many residents went back for a second helping.

The food was a hit with the homeless and hungry, as many of them lined up for second helpings.

“I’m not homeless,” said a woman named Lucy, who did not give her last name. “It’s just real hard for some of us out here, and we need to eat, so this is a very good thing.”

Peter Robledo said he too was thankful for the hearty meal.

“I want them to know I really appreciate it, thank you very very much!” Robledo said, in between mouthfuls.

The organization extended their holiday fundraising effort in order to raise money for the project.

Director Weilyn Wingfield said his “What We Can Do Foundation” gives back to the community all year round, but this was the first time the group had taken part in the MLK Day of Service.

Priscilla Jackson said she brought the idea to the group’s attention because she saw it as a logical extension of the organization’s mission.

“To give service back, this is what Martin Luther King stood for and what we stand for,” Jackson said. “I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to be out in the community representing his dream.”

Husband and wife team, Toni and Weilyn Wingfield, coordinated the service project.
Husband and wife team, Toni and Weilyn Wingfield, coordinated the service project.

The “Feeding the Homeless” project at St. Vincent de Paul in Lancaster was one of more than 30 projects that took place in Lancaster as part of the 6th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President’s national call to service initiative, calling on Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to the most pressing national problems. Each year, Americans across the country service their neighbors and communities through thousands of commemorative projects.

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Filed Under: Lancaster