Gratefull GVL — a free, city-wide community lunch — happened yesterday, Nov. 23 on the Main Street Bridge from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.. Let’s take a look at some numbers:
- 44. That’s how many restaurants donated food. We spotted restaurants like Lazy Goat, Indigo Kitchen, and Papi’s Tacos.
- ~5,000. That’s how many people the Gratefull GVL team expected to feed this year. In 2019, when the lunch first took place, 3,000+ people got a hot meal.
- 100. That’s how many sizes our hearts grew after seeing our community come together.
Co-Chair of Gratefull GVL Mary Beth Cross told us, “I think, in short, Gratefull GVL is an amazing display of what it’s like to live in Greenville. It’s a celebration of diversity and inclusion, it’s a coming together on the Main Street Bridge to share a meal and a conversation.”
All food was donated and safely served by local restaurant sponsors + additional money was raised ahead of the meal will benefit Mill Village Ministries’ FoodShare Greenville program.
What you were grateful for in 2024
A few weeks ago, we asked you what you’re grateful for this year for our friends at Gratefull GVL. We shared some of your answers with the event organizers, and wanted to share them with you, too. We love making you smile.
“Good health and good friends. A wonderful place to live.” — Karen T.
“A bacon, egg and cheese bagel sandwich at Jersey Bagel Brothers!” — Scott S.
“Long soul-fulfilling conversations with old friends.” — Holly V.
“We are grateful for our neighbors, our Greenville City officials and employees, and to Duke Energy for working tirelessly around the clock to help us recover from Hurricane Helene.” — Christine S.
“I’m grateful for my health and the love and support of my family and friends. I’ve had four surgeries in 2024 and am on my way to a complete healing. God has blessed me indeed!!” — Anonymous
“I’m grateful that after 28 weeks of chemotherapy and a lumpectomy, I am cancer free!” — H.R.
“Family.” — Kent J.
“I am so thankful for this amazing community of people who take care of each other.” — Stephanie F.
“Moving across the country from Los Angeles, CA was filled with hope and fear. Greenville has been nothing but a joy. I am grateful for the people of GVL.” — Keri T.
“A safe place to call home.” — JV
“I’m grateful for time spent with people I love.” — Hallie R.
“My wonderful friend group!” — Sherry S.
“I am ‘gratefull’ to live and work in a city that celebrates diversity and inclusion.” — Mary C.
“Good health, good friends, a wonderful place to live.” — Marissa L.
