Downtown Dinner

This was someone's dinner left on the grounds at Veterans Memorial Park.   

My friend, Kevin met me for dinner at the New Horizons in Manchester.  I guess you could say it was not a “normal date". Talk about creating new memories, this is one we can't forget.

The waiting line for dinner was over 40 people draped down one side of the building. Hours of operation are 4:30-5:30PM for dinner.  When the doors opened at 4:30PM, people were allowed in groups to control the serving area and sitting capacity.   By the time we were able to enter the building around 5PM the line had grown by an additional 20 people behind us waiting to eat.  When we entered we were asked our name before seating ourselves to an open table. The volunteer staff brought the meal to us (No cafeteria style serving line here). When my plate arrived, I checked for what I could "safely" eat (no sugar).  My plate consisted of a dinner roll with butter, a cup of chowder, a couple slices of hot roast beef with mushroom gravy and corn for the vegetable. I had a chocolate brownie bar for dessert. I ate what I could and offered the remaining food to the others at our table (There is no waste when someone is truly hungry).  

As we were leaving, Kevin donated money for our dinner and also gave the shelter supervisor two generous bags of kids clothing.  The bags of clothes were simply dropped in a large bin with other clothing. The giving and receiving "good feelings" felt blocked. This wasn't what we were expecting.  We were hoping to give it to the kids that were there being served dinner in the shelter. I was told that donated clothes are offered to those in need at another time during the food pantry hours.   

New Horizons' volunteers were busy with people coming and going but we were able to have a brief conversation with the shelter supervisor.  She noted that the number of people served evening meals has doubled. In the month of December they have broken their record serving 300 people in the evening.  Their average number is usually 150 people.  I asked her, "Do you have one wish?"  She replied, "Oh yes, we actually have a wish list!" and she handed me a copy of the list.  

Kevin and I left the shelter and proceeded toward where I parked.  It was dark outside and groups of people were congregated outside the New Horizons area.  I turned to Kevin, thanking him for coming out for dinner.  I realized he met me for dinner, not for the meal, but to make sure I made it safely back to my truck.  Thanks Kevin for your safe escort during my first "homeless" meal.