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The Gathering Place

A Rust Belt town in Appalachian Ohio, Wellsville has lost a lot of its jobs and a lot of its people. Facing struggles with poverty and addiction, on paper, it might seem like a grim place. But it’s not, because of people like Brenda.

Brenda had the idea to start a free restaurant in downtown Wellsville. Running purely off donations, The Gathering Place has become a pillar of the community, bringing life, joy, and hope to the town. In much of this area, you hear pessimism and despair. But here, it’s the opposite.

We stopped in by chance and heard people recount their stories of what The Gathering Place meant to them. Young or old, rich or poor, happy or sad – everyone could come here to find company, a delicious meal, and someone to talk to. Many communities are struggling. If they each had a Gathering Place, they would all be better off.

Despite their impact, budgets are tight and money is tough to come by in Wellsville. After spending much of the last year on the road, this was the most inspiring place we came across. We figured the Roca audience would love to send some help their way this Christmas.