HURLEY, Miss. (WLOX) – The season of giving is underway, but in Hurley, one restaurant owner is dedicated to lifting spirits throughout the year.
“In the Bible, it says we are to take care of widows and orphans,” said Sharla Holder, owner of Sassy’s.
Holder is doing her part to take care of widows. Once a month, she closes her restaurant and provides a free meal to women who’ve lost their husbands.
Planning for the next lunch starts as soon as the last one ends.(WLOX)
“We have ladies come from Gulfport, Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Pascagoula, Lucedale, West Mobile, Bayou la Batre, and Grand Bay — they come from all over,” she added.
Holder first started what’s now known as the Widows Lunch three years ago with about 40 women attending — and it’s grown since then. Over 200 meals were served during the latest gathering.
“It’s just a refreshing, fabulous day,” described Sandra Smith, a widow from Moss Point who attends the lunch.
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Holder depends on her friends and donations to make it all happen. Teresa Emswiler has been with her every step of the way.
“We try to make it fun, make it light and try to help them navigate things,” said Emswiler.
Each month features a different theme. In December, it’s a Christmas breakfast.
There’s no shortage of smiles around the tables as the women share a common struggle.(WLOX)
“You’re never going to find this many old ladies in their pajamas nowhere,” said Judy Jermyn, who makes her way over from Woolmarket to attend the lunch.
There’s no shortage of smiles around the tables as the women share a common struggle.
“It makes me feel loved, appreciated and blessed because I have a group of lady friends all around this table; we just enjoy being together,” explained Jermyn. “We’re all widows. We don’t like that, but we love being together.”
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“Even though they may not sit around and talk about the grief and loss, they know the person sitting beside them has gone through similar circumstances,” noted Holder. “Everybody’s grief is different, but yet it’s the same.”
Along with enjoying lunch, each woman attending also has the opportunity to encourage those around them.
“You meet so many of these ladies that need to be lifted up to know that they may be sad this time of year, but you don’t need to be,” described Smith.
For more information on Sassy’s Restaurant, visit their website.(WLOX)
Holder hopes her examples of giving will lead others to step up and help in their own way.
“We’ve even offered to help people in other communities,” said Holder. “If they want to start something like this, we would come help them do it to get it started it because obviously there is a need.”
Planning for the next lunch starts as soon as the last one ends. Sassy’s will be filled with smiles and laughter again on the second Tuesday of each month.
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“One lady after another talks about the joy that it brings them to be able to come enjoy themselves and fellowship,” described Holder.
“It lets us know that we’re doing the right thing,” explained Emswiler. “We’re right where we need to be, we can’t stop, and we have to keep going.”
For more information on the monthly luncheon, how to volunteer, or where to donate, visit the Widows Walk Facebook page.
For more information on Sassy’s Restaurant, visit their website.
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