With a league of assistants, the entrepreneur-philanthropist tries to get those who are better off to reach out to help lonely and needy adults and the saddest of children.
By JEAN JOHNSON
Published November 22, 2003
SPRING HILL - Fred Glass is an entrepreneur.
Not the kind that comes immediately to mind. He's a philanthropist-entrepreneur. He works to get those with the most to give to those with the least: clothing, a meal.
Thanksgiving is around the corner and Glass is thinking about the past six years, when he and his dedicated assistants gathered donated food, cooked it and delivered more than 500 meals to people who would otherwise not enjoy a nourishing holiday meal.
Glass, in partnership with St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, founded Helping Hands Hernando about six years ago.
"It was an inspiration I had to help the less fortunate people," Glass said, "and it has grown lots since then."
In addition to Thanksgiving, Glass and his colleagues prepare and deliver meals at Christmas and Easter.
This year, the need is greater because DayStar Hope Center of Spring Hill and Widow's Oil in Brooksville have closed. Both were longtime supporters of the needy. Without their help, Glass is faced with the need to feed almost 1,000 residents - yet he comes across as undaunted by the task.
Knowing he couldn't expect the supermarkets to make up the difference with donations of food, beverages, and paper and plastic items, the 45-year-old has reached out to the community.
Glass received food drive pledges from a Pasco-Hernando Community College service group. Commitments also came in from Notre Dame Interparochial School, an entire grade at Chocochatti Middle School, the Life Teen youth group and the religion department at St. Frances Cabrini.
Glass doesn't stop at his "meals on wheels" endeavors. He also conducts a Christmas party for children of domestic violence in Hernando and Pasco counties. The events, held at undisclosed locations for the children's protection, are a chance for the youngsters to receive toys and a meal donated by local restaurants.
"During the summer we try to have a day at Weeki Wachee for homeless children from the various shelters," Glass said.
Glass now has about 10 board members who participate in one event or another.
"There are at least 15 people who are constantly doing something together."
Frank Colletti assists with the holiday meals year after year. Why?
"Because I love to do it. We're with good people and it's just an enjoyment," he said. "Of course, I miss being with my family, but they know this is another love that I have and that is to get the meal out to these people."
With the additional turkeys required this year, Colletti said, "there will be a lot of turkeys to cut up Wednesday night, which means we'll be there a little later than we normally are."
Colletti's wife, Sheila, helps with the meal preparations by peeling a 50-pound bag of onions.
"We call it her crying contribution," Colletti said.
Jack LaGala works with Glass twice a year.
"I wish I could do more, but unfortunately I've got too many things to do," LaGala said. "This year I'll do more because of the closings, and the area is getting more populated. God bless these people; they want to work all day.
LaGala and his wife have been helping with Thanksgiving and Easter meals for five years.
"It's not us; it's God moving us to do this. The joy on people's face is something you can't match," said LaGala, mentioning the tough job of mashing potatoes.
"My wife, Veronica, is the force behind me. I wouldn't be the king I am if she wasn't the queen she is."
This year Glass adopted a military base overseas and tries to get items to it not readily found there, "like baby socks and shoes, and bras and certain foods like steak sauce," he said. Many people at the base don't have families who are able to send care packages. Helping Hands is trying to work with his daughter, who is stationed at a base in Germany while her husband is in Iraq.
"I would like to do more and get more people involved," Glass said. "Right now my daughter is only helping people in her building. I would like to open it up to the entire base. Maybe other churches would like to adopt an overseas base," said Glass, whose two daughters are married to military men.
Glass is seeking a way to get Congress to eliminate postage to troops overseas during wartime.
"There are people who can afford to send some items, but the postage holds them back," he said.
With less than a week to Thanksgiving, Glass still needs cooking pans and utensils. Mostly he is short on turkeys and is seeking contributions from the community and St. Frances Cabrini parishioners, who donated 97 turkeys - yes, 97 - last year.
"DayStar used to get a load of turkeys from Winn-Dixie, but that has dried up," Glass said. "I wish we didn't have to feed anyone and that no one would need a meal, but it's just inevitable that there will be people in need, and the need keeps growing."
To get information or to help, call St. Frances Cabrini at 686-9666.
