Summerwood & SW Philly Rotary Club Deliver Meals, Thanksgiving Cheer to Seniors
Every year for 27 years, Summerwood and our friends at the Rotary Club of Southwest Philadelphia – Eastwick have been preparing and delivering hearty comfort food to local seniors just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. After lower numbers during the pandemic, Summerwood and the Rotary Club are thrilled to continue this longstanding tradition with plans to deliver 150 meals this year!
Take a look at all that goes into the event in
This goodwill offering and partnership with our local Rotary Club was started by the late Lou Jackson, who owned and operated several KFCs in the area and was the Club’s devoted founder. After Lou’s passing in 2018, the torch was passed on to Summerwood to continue his legacy of feeding our elderly neighbors, many of whom are lonely, vulnerable or in need.
“To continue to keep his legacy moving forward — to pay it forward,” says Dawn Thomas, current Rotary president, of the meaning behind this cherished event. “To give back in kindness.”
It takes a special group of volunteers to pull it all together! Summerwood donates the food and secures volunteers to prepare meals at the Commissary Kitchen. Each meal is then packaged in microwaveable containers and includes:
- Grilled chicken
- Mashed potatoes with gravy
- Green beans
- Biscuits
- Apple sauce
- Chocolate cake
Meanwhile, Rotary Club volunteers identify recipients with the help of staff at local senior living facilities and apartment complexes. Those still living residential homes are also considered. As a result, these meals go out to Rotary members and neighbors throughout Southwest Philadelphia.
Meals are hand delivered on Thanksgiving Day by Rotary Club volunteers. According to Cedric Marlow, one of its members, volunteers travel up to 20 miles to make deliveries!
Recipients are always extremely grateful, Cedric says. “In that moment, sharing and caring gives you that warm feeling of helping.”
This is one of Summerwood’s favorite ways to kick off the holiday season!
Check out a few photos from this year’s event:
