Naples Senior Center hands out meals to those in need at Thanksgiving

Every week the Senior Center in Naples hands out meals. But at Thanksgiving, it means even more to those who received them.

Seniors have been very isolated this year due to the pandemic, so this little bit of interaction excites them as well.

Sunny Jackson received a meal and said it was the highlight of her week. “Alan coming is the highlight of the week. I know what day it is,” Jackson said.

The Naples Senior Center does pas out meals each week but the week of Thanksgiving makes it just a bit more magical.

Jacklynn Faffer is the President of the Naples Senior Center. “What’s extra special about it is not that it only feeds the tummy, but during this time of isolation it feeds the soul,” said Faffer.

They served turkey, sides and even a little dessert.

Robert Blinn received a meal as well and is excited to eat it. “I will be spending Thanksgiving here by myself, but I’ll have something good to eat,” Blinn said.

Thanks to the center, 65 older adults had a warm meal on the table for Thanksgiving. “When you live alone and some nice people come along and try to help you on the holiday it’s really really wonderful,” said Blinn.

In a normal year, the center would also have around 200 seniors celebrating the holidays together. As we know, 2020 isn’t a normal year. So, because of the pandemic, they’re going door to door instead so seniors know they haven’t been forgotten.

“It’s a wonderful wonderful thing that they do. I appreciate every little thing that they do,” said Jackson.

Robert Blinn, “Happy Thanksgiving to you!”