Patricia O’Donnell makes and distributes delicious baked goods to people experiencing homelessness, writes Jon Caroulis for Billy Penn at WHYY.
The Roslyn resident came up with the idea eight years ago, shortly after losing her job at age 71. While walking along Philadelphia’s Market Street, she noticed people living on the streets and began to think about how she could help. That’s when the answer came to her: “I’ll bake!”
Ever since, she has been making cookies and cakes and dispensing them to people experiencing homelessness in Center City Philadelphia.
However the food she offers is only a part of the nourishment.
“Just to say hello, and acknowledge their existence is important,” said O’Donnell. “The first time I did this, most people thought I was trying to poison them or something, but some people took it right away. And those people who didn’t take anything from me in the beginning, when I kept returning every week, I think they started to trust me, and knew I wasn’t trying to do them any harm.”
Despite mobility issues as she nears 80, O’Donnell continues to hop on a train to the city every Thursday, giving away around 70 cookies and 20-something slices of cake.
Read more about Patricia O’Donnell in Billy Penn at WHYY.
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