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Volunteers To Serve Meal To Homeless Christmas Eve

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By TONY HOLT, Hernando Today

Published: December 23, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - Kathi Collison owns a business on the south side of the city's biggest intersection and goes to church less than a quarter mile east of that same corner.

A few blocks away, toward downtown, there is a group of homeless people who push carts, sleep in sleeping bags and canvass the area for food. Collison didn't realize that until recently.

She and several of her clients are pitching in to give them a hot meal on Christmas Eve.

At least 25 people have donated food, blankets and other materials, and another dozen will cook and serve the homeless beginning at noon in front of the Family Dollar Tat Hernando Plaza, 671 N. Broad St.

"We've heard there are about 75 around here," Collison said, admitting she is unsure what to expect. "We're planning to feed 75. ... This is going to be very eye-opening for us."
Collison could not remember who came up with the idea, but she recalled exactly when it caught fire. Customer Reiko Pearson came in and volunteered to assist. Others quickly followed.

Each year, Pearson cooks Thanksgiving dinner for needy families and organizes a summer camp for at-risk youths. She will be cooking her famous and always well-received mashed potatoes.

Other foods to be served that day will include ham, turkey, baked beans, dinner rolls, green beans, brownies, cake and cookies.

Canned foods, bottled water and bags of snack foods are among the items that have been donated. More can be dropped off at Curves gym, at 20122 Cortez Blvd., near the U.S. 41 intersection. Some of Collison's clients also have donated money.

All leftover food and items will be donated to Jericho Road Ministries.

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