28 Nov Keystone Mission Serves the Homeless Across the Wyoming Valley for Thanksgiving

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, PA – Last week Keystone Mission served three Thanksgiving meals for the homeless in Northeast PA, including one in their new Wilkes-Barre Innovation Center for Homeless & Poverty.

Keystone Mission’s Thanksgiving meal is one of several holiday meals they provide throughout the year. After the pandemic, Keystone Mission brought back the traditional sit-down meal that brings local community and guests together.

“We use this time to serve our guests a homecooked meal through relationship building. For some that are estranged from family, this can be transformational!” says Kathy Regan, Operations & Wilkes-Barre Program Director.

For individuals coming off the streets, or the residents of Keystone’s Transformation Center, the holiday season can come with many mixed emotions. Scott Wills, Transformation Center Program Director, noticed Keystone residents finding renewed thankfulness this year as they find peace and heal from past brokenness.

“During the holiday season our guests and residents experience loneliness, stress, and anxiety. To be able to enjoy a warm meal surrounded by people who care is what makes it worthwhile. Keystone Mission is thankful to serve, and encourages everyone to be the change, that we want to see in the world,” says Danielle O. Keith-Alexandre, CEO & Executive Director.

Lasha Wyman-Klein, Scranton Program Director & Vocational Specialist says, “With our thanksgiving luncheon, we can ease some of that tension by providing food, fellowship, and community. We believe that relationships are fundamentally important to combating symptoms of those experiencing homelessness.”

Through the help of staff and dozens of volunteers, Keystone served over 50 individuals this holiday.