SUNDAY DINNER SEEKS DONATIONS FOR SOUL-FOOD EFFORT Queen City Blues: ground zero in hunger

Alarming Facts

The 2017 Housing Instability & Homelessness Report Series showed 1,476 people are experiencing homelessness on one night.

In January 2017 in Charlotte-Mecklenburg

1,011 people in households with adults only

460 people in households with adults and children

66 people are unaccompanied youth

137 were veterans

147 were chronically homeless

5 were people in households with only children

21% were children

79% African American

4% Hispanic/Latino

44% Female

"Be careful how you treat a stranger, some have entertained angels...."

Kenya Dalton Gillespie's passion to help the homeless has grown into a full scale mission.

The effort, which began in her kitchen now feeds a large portion of the city's downtown homeless population.

Gillespie didn't have much money when she began, but riding by the problem left an unsettling feeling and she had to do more.

Soul Food: "Love, laughter and soul food has healed many hearts and mended many souls.”

Her decision to help reminded her of the healing aroma from grandma's kitchen and how it a good meal could lift the spirits.

Gillespie believes many are homeless or in dead end situations because their support system has passed on.

And that some of the vices that destroy families occur when those martyrs die.

"When the Big Mama leave the communal table the family base can be shifted, some turn to drugs and depression or can't handle life's blows and they end up on the streets," she said passionately.

"But it doesn't mean they have to stay there."

So she began serving that same kind of Sunday dinner to the homeless by just popping up in populated areas.

GO INTO THE HIGHWAYS AND BY-WAYS

While Gillespie relies on her faith she said this not to preach or for attention but because God touched her heart to be a part of the solution.

She soon realized the care packages she gave out (with items like hand warmers, gloves, hygiene products and snacks) along with the meals seemed to brighter her guest day.

And as the events, which are held in downtown Charlotte, have continued to grow so has the need.

#SundayDinner is currently asking for donations to assist in their community outreach.

She's received $2,100 toward food and to stock up on items for more gift bags but as the word spreads Gillespie says she running through inventory quickly.

Gillespie established a GoFundMe page, to manage donations.

#Sunday Dinner: Soul Food Offers Homeless and Community Fellowship

FOOD FOR THE SOUL: #SUNDAY DINNER

‘I CAN’T TURN MY HEAD TO THE DESPAIR’

By day Gillespie is a corporate risk compliance consultant for Wells Fargo but in her off time she's planning for the next Sunday Dinner event.

They’ve held four so far, feeding an estimated 400 people in Charlotte.

Meals have included baked chicken, homemade macaroni and cheese, green beans, potato salad, a roll and deserts.

"A good meal can lift your spirits. I'm not a preacher; I just care, and I wanted to encourage people, so they know we're not all looking down on them because everybody can be in a bad situation," Gillespie said.

"I believe that where you are being not where you have to be, and I want to show them that there are people out here that genuinely care."

INSPIRED BY DESPAIR: DETERMINED TO DO SOMETHING

Gillespie said she took trips to New Orleans, New York city and while changing job locations to downtown Charlotte seeing things that humbled her.

"New Orleans remains forever life altering because I had never experienced or seen homelessness in such an intimate, up-close and personal way," Gillespie said.

"It was heartbreaking so much so that I literally cried, and I couldn't believe that people were actually living this way in a country of vastness and plenty."

She said the trip to New York was equally as painful.

"I knew I had to do something, I just didn't know what and when I began working in downtown Charlotte and got to see the homeless pandemic here up-close and personal, my mind and heart was racing wondering what I can do--what difference can I make?"

Gillespie decided to cook Sunday dinner and the grassroots effort and name was born.

"Why #SundayDinner because of all it embodies and encompasses—love, family, togetherness, fullness, fellowship—and great food!!"

GRASSROOTS EFFORT PICKS UP SPEED

Gillespie believes her success comes from reaching out to the community.

When she initially started, Gillespie said all she heard was who wasn't willing to help and judgement which she found extremely frustrating, but it motivated her to try harder.

"God will use a willing heart, in or out of church" Gillespie said.

So, she continues to appeal to local churches and the community leaders to help in any way they can.

"It breaks my heart to visit home and see such a small town dealing with big city problems."

"The needs of the homeless won't go away if we just throw money at it, they need to see everyday people pitching in and reminding them down doesn't mean dead end."

Gillespie is asking for donations of toiletries, snacks, hand warmers, hygiene products, cash and gift cards—and most importantly, willing hands to join her in this community outreach effort.

"We have so many good people here and in my hometown of Iredell, so I know my hometown help can make the Sunday Dinner event a continued success," Gillespie said.

"We need soldiers and I'm more than willing to be the "feet on the street" to make sure it gets to people who desperately need it."

WANT TO DONATE:

https://www.gofundme.com/CharlotteSundayDinnerForTheHomeless