HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Single parents and their children visited the event space of the local store Giga-Parts in Huntsville to celebrate Thanksgiving as a community. Hosted and organized by over a dozen companies and community resource organizations in town, Friendsgiving for Single Parents was designed to free up some time for the parents of small children.
Sponsor Shaquila Ferguson said, "Oftentimes, parents work hard and have to sacrifice for providing the essentials for their kids."
Being a parent is often difficult enough. But to be a single parent is a league of its own.
"Single parents don't ask for help because they don't want to be a burden," said Latoya Whitfield. "So, they just want to take care of their child and make sure their child is good."
That's why Tickled Tastebuds catering and the Huntsville Alabama Community Resources (HACR) page partnered up to host a Thanksgiving meal for single parents, all designed at taking their mind off the holiday stress.
"When I was younger, I didn't have a community," said organizer Latoya Whitfield. "I didn't have a community that I could just go to and ask without feeling ashamed that I was a single parent, especially being young. So, I think it provides community and access to resources."
Whitfield was a single mother for eight years before founding HACR to help those parents in her shoes.
Attendee and sponsor Dr. Latracey McDonald said, "I don't have family around that's blood. So, to be able to have this amazing food, as well as to be able to be around friends, some I knew and some I just met today, we're building relationships. And this is not going to be our only time getting together."
Shaquila Ferguson added, "It's a great way to bring everyone together, connect and eat well."
In addition to the food and fun, the Friendsgiving event also featured multiple gift giveaways and a $500 cash prize for one lucky family.
