My Brother’s Table just announced that they have served four million meals since 1982.
I have served and have helped serve some of those meals and it truly is life changing. Growing up, my maternal grandmother was addicted to drugs. It took a toll on my mother who was only 1 years old when her father died. Barely in her 20s, my grandmother turned to drugs to cope with her pain. I have fond memories of telling my grandmother that one day I would buy her a castle and we would live together.
My parents did not often allow us to be alone with my grandmother because of the drug abuse and our times together were often spent during her times of being clean and sober.
I will never forget my grandmother calling me some time in November when I was about 8 or 9 years old and telling me about a place she was going to take me to see Santa Claus. I was very excited to see my grandmother and to see Santa Claus. I remember walking with her to My Brother’s Table, grabbing a meal and sitting with Santa.
I had no clue I was in a soup kitchen, being served by volunteers and eating with homeless and other needy families. I did know that I was spending time with a woman I loved dearly.
Once my mother found out where my grandmother took us, she was not happy and told my grandmother never to take us there again. That is when I unfortunately adjusted my positive view of My Brother’s Table to a negative.
Over time as my grandmother started to get access to programs through the resources around My Brother’s Table, she eventually took the opportunity to get clean and take better care of herself, including her diabetes.
One day when I was at my aunt’s house a visiting nurse came to check out my grandmother and it was none other than my aunt, Debbie Kennedy. I was so excited that my aunt from my stepmother’s side finally met someone on my mother’s side.
There was one other time I went to My Brother’s Table to eat and that is when I faced homelessness at the age of 16.
In my adulthood I have grown to love My Brother’s Table and its mission. I have brought my mother, my daughter and other family members to serve. The work of feeding families and those struggling really does bring positive change to communities.
Never forget that we are more connected than we think and if we sit and talk with someone that may be different, we can find mutual ground.
My aunt Debbie Kennedy eventually became part of My Brother’s Table. My uncle volunteers at the door and my cousin is employed by My Brother’s Table.
My colleague on the School Committee, Donna Coppola is a huge advocate for My Brother’s Table and also serves on the Board. I am proud to be part of a church family that has served hundreds of hours in donated time.
In order to have a healthy community we need to provide a healthy community. That includes feeding those in need. That includes providing services to those in need where they are.
My Brother’s Table has connected those in need to resources for almost 30 years and Lynn is lucky to have such a wonderful nonprofit. In honor of My Brother’s Table serving four million meals, we should consider making a donation to further their positive reach in our community, especially in this epidemic.
We still have work to do and I am proud to work alongside with My Brother’s Table in ending hunger.
Michael Satterwhite
Lynn School Committee member
