Every third Monday of the month, a line of St. Clair County residents forms at the Pell City Recreation Hall on 19th Street with boxes, bags, and carts. They are there for the monthly Community Table, hosted by the non-profit organization the GoodWorks Charitable Foundation, which provides groceries and hot meals to an average of 500-700 people every month.  

“We are open to any St. Clair County resident,” co-founder Jean Speer said. “Anyone that is having a hard time. Maybe they just need help one month, or every month. There is such a variation of needs. Someone may have lost their job or their car engine needed repair. Some people that have been helped and are now on their feet come back to volunteer.” 

This week, Speer expected an increase in those seeking assistance, with the colder weather, higher utility bills, and children being out of school for the week of Thanksgiving. In September, they provided food for 597 people and October saw an increase to 707 people. Monday night they fed 827 people and served Thanksgiving dinner to over 300.  

Since the formation of their 501c3 in 2015, the GoodWorks Foundation has provided over 165,000 pounds of food to local residents, an average of 6,000-10,000 pounds of food every month, with the help of monthly sponsors. The foundation depends on volunteers and sponsors. This month’s sponsor was Benjamin Moore. Buffalo Wild Wings is their monthly bag sponsor and Coosa Valley Elementary Junior Beta Club collected donations of stuffing.  

This month, in addition to groceries, which include fresh produce, meat, boxed goods, canned goods, peanut butter, and bakery items, volunteers served a traditional Thanksgiving meal catered by Paul Lett from Lett’s Eat. They also collected coats, blankets, hats, and gloves to distribute to those in need.  The newly formed Junior Civitan Club at Pell City High School helped with the coat drive efforts, collecting over 50 coats.  

“Many people live without heat,” Speer said. “Many families sleep in their coats, so it is very important to collect coats and blankets.”  

The GoodWorks Charitable Foundation was founded by Jean Speer and Carrie Leland in 2011, working out of Speer’s basement to provide “direct, immediate aid to those trapped in poverty, abuse or neglect,” specifically providing monthly food and resource share programs to those in need. In 2015, they formed the 501c3 and Tom Gant and Dr. Peter D’Sa joined the GoodWorks Charitable Foundation board.  

“This is a way to help our neighbors and be part of the community,” Speer said. “It is such a needed resource in our community. It is such a loving event that’s gotten bigger and better.” 

For information on how to volunteer, sponsor, or donate contact Jean Speer at 205-369-8516.