Every Tuesday and Friday, grandmothers Marretta Lockridge and Rita Uppal prepare meals in the Glendora Gardens Senior Living complex for the homeless.
They serve hot plates to the homeless along the San Gabriel Valley River off of the 210 freeway in Irwindale.
Lockridge is a retired secretary and is now the head cook of the department. She prepares home-cooked meals every Tuesday and Friday for the homeless, with the help of her colleagues: Rita Uppal and Bo Hart. Lockridge explains, “I wanted to reach out to let them know that just because they’re homeless, they’re not forgotten.”
To prepare these meals, they receive donations from Vons, as well as use their own pocket money and donate food items from their homes. These two ladies spend about eight hours in the kitchen when preparing these meals.
Lockridge stated that she was close to being homeless once, and she understands the struggles and desperation that these people face on a daily basis.
Uppal is the assistant cook. “We do this for the good Lord,” said Rita.
Lockridge started this eleven years ago in Florida after she retired from her job as a secretary. She said something came over her one day as the “Lord’s doing.” She traveled from Florida to California feeding people who weren’t able to feed themselves.
She did prison ministries, church ministries, jail ministries, homeless ministries and street ministries; until she finally ended up here, Glendora, California.
There are tons of people experiencing homelessness without letting it be known; college students included.
Cherrie Canfield, who is homeless, said, “They put their love into it when they cook. It’s like they’re cooking for their family, like this family out here too.” Marretta Lockridge states, “It’s just not for the homeless though, it’s also for the people with fixed incomes. The month lasts longer than the money, so they can come there and eat.” Marietta’s clientele increases every single week.
Approximately, 35-50 people show up every Tuesday and Friday.
For people experiencing homelessness, the love Lockridge and her friends put into their cooking makes them feel welcome.
They give out food starting from 10 a.m. until it is gone. All are welcomed, including college students who are can’t afford meals of their own.
People who want to get involved can donate food or help prepare meals with the senior citizens every Tuesday and Friday at Glendora Gardens Senior Living Center in Glendora.
