Oh, what a difference a year makes.
Just over a year ago, on February 27, 2020, SOS held a Mardi Gras themed party for Staff to celebrate all of the good work the organization did in 2019. We played games, listened to lively music, enjoyed shrimp po' boys, cake and camaraderie... We also stood very close to one another (see above) and wore masks that did not cover our noses or our mouths!
Little did we know then how much the world was about to change and that it would be a very long time before we would have another gathering like this.
Yes, a lot has changed in the 53 weeks since that little shin dig, and there are likely many more changes on the horizon—some we can see coming and probably a quite a few that we have yet to imagine. What hasn't changed is our commitment to the work, to providing nourishment and human connection to our older neighbors who need us. Sure it has been a doozy of a year. We have had to pivot many times, to find agility and creativity in the face of rapidly shifting circumstances and unfortunate surprises (looking at you, failed freezer unit). We have had to dig deep for untapped reserves of energy and resilience. But ultimately, our dedication to the care of homebound seniors, fortified by the incredible support of the SOS community, has kept the doors open and the meals rolling.
And we will keep it going. One healthy meal and one friendly visit at a time, we will keeping showing up for the seniors who count on us no matter what.
Thank you for showing up too.