Up & Coming Weekly

July 12, 2022

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM JULY 13 - 19, 2022 UCW 13 those for children, being the largest percentage of donations. "Donations are literally how we function," Lindsey Wofford said. "ey're how this room stays full." Seth's Wish also partners with Second Harvest Food Bank and receives donations from out- lets all over the city, including Walmart. With help from Sustainable Sandhills, Seth's Wish also grows fresh produce in the house's backyard. "Everyone just comes and plants stuff," Lindsey Wofford joked. "I don't even know what's in here." e tomatoes, green beans and cucumbers are easily iden- tified in the carefully tended gardens, and it's clear they're grown by a very green thumb. Fresh vegetables, which are often overlooked due to their cost and fragility in times of food insecurity, are a welcome and necessary addition to the organization's pantry. While the Day Room is a space for patrons to fill a basket with what they need, the front of the house, called Seth's Wish Gift Shop, is a space where they can shop for the things they want. Filled with jewelry, paintings, pottery and wreaths, the little boutique is a project of which Lindsey Wofford is immensely proud. "is is our coolest program ever," she gushed while walking through the shelves of hand- made items. "People that come in for ser- vices who are talented or crafty, we open a file on them and feature their work in the store. When they make a sale, 100% of the money goes back to the art- ist that created it. It's just a way for them to make some extra money." Many of the items are created through donated crafting mate- rials, which keep costs low for the artists and free up space at Seth's Wish. "We have such great stuff here," Lindsey Wofford said. "ere are just so many talented people." A home lost and found It's hard to argue with the success of Seth's Wish in the community, but that's not to say there haven't been a few set- backs. Originally operating in a building on South Cool Spring Street, the organization, known for its efforts in the homeless community, suddenly became homeless themselves. About two months after COVID-19 gripped the city and the nation, tragedy struck Seth's Wish literally and figuratively when a van crashed through their building, destroying the Day Room. While no one was injured, the building was officially con- demned. It was another two years before the organization found a space they could call home. "We're very definite on the fact that the money that comes in or is donated goes toward services. We don't want to pay $1000 monthly to rent a space when that money could go toward helping people." A chance meeting with a gentleman who owned a house used as a food pantry for his church donated the space to Seth's Wish. e rest is history. "I never thought we'd be able to find something like this," she said, the gratitude plain on her face. "It was just meant to be." A request Seth's Wish, run by Lindsey Wofford and a smattering of volunteers, is more than grateful for the organization's success and the kindness of the com- munity. And while the Day Room and back room are filled with cloth- ing for people to take home, Lindsey Wofford admits there are at least two things they could always use more of, food donations and time. "Groceries are so hard right now," Lindsey Wofford told Up & Coming Weekly. "We'll take anything, but we really need non-perishable items the most." Another donation Seth's Wish could use is help from the com- munity. "We always need volunteers," she admitted. People are always needed in the garden and can sign up for tasks via Seth's Community Gar- den, found on Facebook. Volunteering to water the plants or flip compost are all small acts that go a long way. Everyone is welcome to show up and lend their time every Tuesday and ursday. Passion in practice Seth, now a teenager, often helps his mom in the little house founded on his selfless wish. "He loves it," his mom said, beaming with pride. e new space, with its wide front lawn and big backyard, offers many opportunities for Seth's Wish to engage with its community in meaningful and heartfelt ways. With a back room stocked and ready for the next batch of peo- ple in need through Seth's Wish, now in operation for the past seven and a half years, Lindsey Wofford hopes to continue what her son started for as long as they're needed. When asked why she does it, Lindsey Wofford had a simple answer: "I just like it." Seth's Wish is located at 204 South Reilly Road in Fayetteville. For more information regard- ing donations, volunteer oppor- tunities, and events, visit www. facebook.com/sethswish/ or call 910-476-6613. Above: Lindsey Woffard, executive director of Seth's Wish poses with Nicole Lawrence , a volunteer and board member. Left: About two months after COVID-19 gripped the city and the nation, tragedy struck Seth's Wish; a van crashed through their building, destroying the Day Room. While no one was injured, the building was officially condemned. It was another two years before the organization found a space they could call home. A chance meeting with a gentleman who owned a house used as a food pantry for his church donated the space to Seth's Wish. (Photos by Isaiah Jones) ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200 COVER STORY

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