In less time than it takes an evening downpour to pass through San Miguel de Allende, we had nearly 120 raincoats in the hands of the senior citizens who visit So Others May Eat for a hot lunch every Wednesday.

Sometimes good intentions and charitable hearts move that quickly.

Two weeks ago, as Dr. Grace Lim, gave her weekly health talk to the seniors, she was shocked to learn that very few own umbrellas or raincoats. Her talk was on avoiding illness during the rainy seasons. Soaking seniors wouldn’t do.

She asked longtime volunteer Sheila Sawyer to look into how we could supply raincoats for the 120-plus men and women who attend the lunch in the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel courtyard.

By Monday, Sheila had 130 raincoats delivered to her door. In about the same time, SMA resident Bruce Darling stepped forward and offered to pay the whole cost.

A number of other residents went to the SOME website and made PayPal donations. Which is great because, given the reception of our guests, this may become an annual event.

SOME, with the local American Legion post, donates sweaters to guests every winter, the city has supplied blankets in the past, every guest gets a gift bag on Mother’s Day, a free eyeglass program sets up at least once a year, and volunteer Pauline Fetheroff makes sure every guest who needs a cane receives one.

At SOME, it is always about more than food.

Here are some photos of volunteers Sheila Sawyer, Pauline Fetheroff, Josie Timmermans, Alan Fielding, and Dra. Grace Lim presenting the raincoats to our guests.

Thank you to everyone who responded so generously. We take staying dry for granted. Some day, our guests will too!

Link to original raincoat story: So Others May Stay Dry.
So Others May Eat donation page.