Feeding a Worthy Cause

Hugh Pafford of Colliers Spectrum Cauble, Inc. helps the hungry all year round making meals on these wheels.

As the holiday season falls upon us, we begin to hear more frequently about charitable acts throughout our area. The holiday season is a time when most people feel the strongest urge to give back to the community that gives them so much.

However, there are many that feel and act on this urge all year round that we never hear about. The Rooster was recently tipped off from another little birdie about one exceptional gentleman in particular.

For several years Hugh Pafford of Colliers Spectrum Cauble, Inc. has led a group of volunteers in an effort to help others. Pafford started small and simple with the objective of bringing attention of the plight of Atlanta's homeless population to his friends and colleagues. While Hugh insists he is not changing lives, "just serving men and women that need food a hot breakfast", Pafford's 'small' efforts have transitioned into an inspiring initiative.

Pafford's idea came about while helping clean up a small mission church downtown. As he looked around he became charged with the idea of wanting to feed the homeless, as the need was so apparent. Turning to an organization called the City of Refuge, Pafford began learning how he needed to go about doing so. He built a trailer from a kit and made adjustments to a commercial grill to place on the trailer. Starting with several members of a bible study and expanding to over 150 volunteers today, Pafford watched his desire to help feed the hungry come alive.

Varsity Downtown

One of Downtown Atlanta's iconic locations is the meeting grounds for Pafford's volunteers.

Over the years this group has worked quietly, efficiently and effectively at their cause. An email blast is sent to a list of volunteers on the Wednesday preceding the Saturday they feed. They meet at The Varsity parking lot at 6:30 am, and then caravan to the selected site to set up and feed anywhere between 40-80 men and women. Competitors and colleagues across the industry have come together to work alongside Pafford for a common goal: the desire to to help other people. "Names like Hank Hall, Steve Martin, Fred Beebe, Kevin Hermetz, Kell Martin, Tim Farley, John Robbins, Chris Routledge and the late John O'Keefe are a few of the regulars that come to mind. Many more have contributed money for food or serving equipment," Pafford states humbly.

After three or four years, several things have become evident to Pafford: the growing need of the homeless is obvious, but the need of volunteers to find a way to act on their desire to serve others is just as great. Pafford started out just trying to bring awareness to the needs of those without a home. He quickly realized there were many people with the desire to help others, but they were looking for a focus to channel those efforts. Pafford says himself and many others have been inspired and found a focus through these efforts, and hope others can do the same. Anyone who wants to be added to the list of volunteers can. There are no requirements except having an email address. Typically finished by 8:30-9am, this is a great way to begin a Saturday, and it rarely conflicts with scheduled weekend events.
Despite all they do, Pafford insists "the real work to support the homeless is being done by the Churches, city agencies and charitable organizations such as the City of Refuge. They are truly the people that the homeless can depend on each and every week and they are the people that really need to get the acclaim. They are week in and week out, changing people lives. They are the foundation of the positive works that are being done here." No effort is too small or goes unnoticed. Even something as simple as a hot meal, that many of us take for granted, can mean the world to a man that hasn't had one in weeks.

Volunteering is about giving back in order to help others not give up, and these mobile meals do just that. Our hats are off to Mr. Pafford and all the others giving back throughout this holiday season.