Soul Stories: Meet Gary
At nearly 72 years old, Gary never expected to find himself homeless. But when his brother passed away, the life he had known unraveled quickly. His nieces let him continue to stay in the house for as long as they could, but eventually, they had to sell it. Then, on the very same day he became homeless, his car broke down—leaving him without shelter or transportation.
That was just 30 days ago.
A New Beginning at Anchor
Gary first heard about Anchor Lancaster through word of mouth at the Clay Street Shelter. He was apprehensive about staying in a shelter at first, but he didn’t have a choice and knew he had to make the best of his situation.
“I gotta make the best of it,” he says, his face lighting up with a smile.
Despite the hardships, Gary’s positive attitude is undeniable. He laughs easily, his eyes twinkling as he talks about the people he has met along the way. As he shares, other guests at Anchor walk up and greet him warmly, calling him a great guy.
At Anchor, he found more than just meals—he found support.
“I was really guarded at first, but everybody has been supportive and helpful in their guidance,” he shares. One of the staff members, Connor, helped him navigate resources to get into an assisted living program. “He really helped me a lot, and I’m excited to move in today! I’ll have my own bed and three meals a day.”
More Than a Meal
Gary enjoys every meal at Anchor, finding them all hot, nutritious, and filling. When asked to pick a favorite, he said he simply can’t. “Everything is good. It always has a good flavor.”
But for him, Anchor is about more than just the food.
“I look forward to the camaraderie with the guests,” he says. And there’s one thing he’s come to love in particular. “I wasn’t always a coffee drinker, but now the first thing I say in the morning is, ‘Get me to Anchor, so I can get some coffee!’” He laughs, savoring the simple pleasure of enjoying coffee with friends.
What People Don’t Understand About Homelessness
Gary wants people to know that being homeless isn’t easy.“Being homeless isn’t for the weak and sissies. You need a backbone and stamina to survive.”
He also wishes more people understood that homelessness doesn’t define a person’s character. “Homeless people aren’t the dirty, derelict scum of the earth. They are nice people, and I wish them all well. I keep them in my prayers.”
Moving Forward
Today marks a new chapter for Gary as he moves into assisted living. His journey hasn’t been easy, but with the help of Anchor, outreach workers, and his own unwavering spirit, he has found hope again.
As he steps into his new home, one thing is certain—Gary’s story is far from over. And through it all, he continues to smile.
If you’d like to support the work we do to help people like Gary get back on their feet, we’d love to share our mission with you. Discover how Anchor Lancaster is providing more than just meals—offering hope, community, and a fresh start. Click here to learn more.