When Rocky and Kim Camp, of Sebastopol, heard Penelope Rivas, of
God’s Grace, Inc. might have to cancel her annual Thanksgiving
dinner they opened their hearts in a big way.
The Camps donated $1,000 to help pay for the feast that feeds
hundreds of people, including the homeless.
But they weren’t the only ones who stepped forward to make it
happen.
“There were many staff members, physicians and family members from
the West County Heath Centers who raised hundreds of dollars, made
up personal health bags and served dinner too,” Kim Camp
said.
“Penny’s hard work and generosity allowed a large group of us to
participate with her in providing a delicious hot turkey dinner for
hundreds of people. There were many to-go dinners provided, lots of
bags of fresh breads, and tables of coats, shoes and clothes
available for anyone that wanted them,” she said. “Penny is truly
an inspiration and we thank her for all her hard work and for
bringing so many people together to give thanks. It was a very
special day.”
For about a decade now, Rivas has stayed up all night on the eve of
Thanksgiving cooking enough food to feed 400 to 500 people, who
wouldn’t otherwise have a place to go, including the
homeless.
The next day she forgoes having dinner with her own family, so she
can work alongside other volunteers serving the holiday meal.
As of Nov. 18, God’s Grace, Inc. had not received one single
donation, even though, as in year’s past, Rivas took the time to
write and send letters to local businesses seeking financial
support. She also peppered the town with the letter, in an attempt
to get the word out.
And then she opened her mailbox on Nov. 19 and found checks to
purchase food for the dinner; Monday, the same thing. … Her twins
even handed over their piggy banks to contribute to the holiday
meal, which according to those who attended was once again a
success.
