PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Gery Lipski and his husband Randy Fox spent their Thanksgiving morning with the nonprofit Manna, packing thanksgiving dinners for people fighting HIV, AIDS, cancer, and a number of other illnesses.
It’s something they’ve been doing for 30 years now. Looking back, Lipski says their first year they served a little more than a handful of people.
“People were very ill and very alone,” he said. “People were ignoring them and we wanted to be a part of fixing things.”
They say the program has grown over the years and there are now about 400 volunteers who pack and deliver 4,000 individually tailored thanksgiving dinners, including for those with dietary restrictions, providing traditional Thanksgiving dishes like turkey, salad, pie, bread, and cookies.
Manna CEO Sue Daugherty says they make sure everyone they serve has a proper thanksgiving dinner, with enough food to serve a family of four.
“With the love of our volunteers we show up and deliver a gourmet meal, with all the fixings,” she said. “... Our clients tell us all the time that the food is great but the love is better.”
Fox, who lost close friends to AIDS, was brought to tears when he reflected on their progress and the number of families they’re able to help enjoy a thanksgiving dinner.
“It’s amazing how far it’s come. It’s indescribable,” he said.