PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — People came to the William Way Community Center on Thanksgiving Day for more than just a meal. They came for something they may not have been able to find at home.
“William Way has meant so much to me, especially during the holidays, since I don’t have many immediate family. It’s so affirming to have a place to go,” Rick White said.
“I’m from Alabama, and I can’t be with my family today, so this is my family today,” Joshua Wall told Action News.
He brought a friend with him.
“And I said, ‘No processed food today. Let’s have a homemade meal because that feels like home,'” recalled Wall.
“It’s wonderful. It feels like family here, and I haven’t even met anybody yet,” Chris Moore said.
“I’m glad I came. I had nowhere to go, nothing to do today. My family is all long deceased. So this has kinda become my family,” volunteer Jimmy Orrell said.
Volunteers served a proper Thanksgiving dinner to dozens of members and allies of the LGBTQ community, ensuring everyone left not only with a full belly, but with a full heart, too.
“You go home feeling good. You set up tables, you serve food, and you just feel good about it,” volunteer Santo Guerrera told Action News.
“My perception of William Way is this is love, this is home,” White said.
The building that the center has called home for almost 30 years will no longer serve as its hub in a few weeks. The repairs needed for the aging building on Spruce Street are too expensive. Move-out is December 18.
All programming will continue temporarily at St. Luke’s church on South 13th Street. A permanent location has not been determined yet.
Staffing say this place has always been about much more than just its physical address.
“We don’t keep our programs and activities contained to these walls. We like to go out as much as we can,” acting executive director Darius McLean said. “The William Way holiday meals are here to stay. You can see us right outside (on Spruce St.) on December 25 passing out to-go Christmas meals.”
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