Atlanta couple hosts ritzy meal for homeless after daughter cancels wedding



Carol and Willie Fowler didn't want the upscale dinner they had planned for their daughter's wedding to go to waste. When the nuptials got canceled, they invited 200 of the city's destitute to join them.
A kind-hearted Atlanta couple made the best out of a bad situation by donating their daughter's canceled wedding reception to the homeless.

Carol and Willie Fowler decided that the first-rate meal they had reserved for Sunday, Sept. 15 at upmarket Villa Christina restaurant shouldn't go to waste — so they invited 200 of the Atlanta's destitute to join them.

Bosses at Hosea Feed the Hungry charity initially thought the offer to feed their attendees a lavish four-course meal was a practical joke.



But the Fowlers, who have not revealed why daughter Tamara's nuptials were called off just 40 days beforehand, insisted they were sincere — and the event went ahead, albeit with a new list of invitees.

"It was my husband's idea," Mrs. Fowler told WBUR.



"We prayed about it. And when he woke up the next morning, he said, 'We're going to call Hosea Feed the Hungry and ask if we can donate it to the needy,'" she added.

Many of the guests were not accustomed to the gold plates and crystal stemware at Villa Christina, nor the formal presentation of the food.

“The passed hors d’oeuvre were very interesting because the children were wondering, ‘could we take the whole tray, or do we just take one off of the tray?’” said Elisabeth Omilami, CEO of Hosea Feed the Hungry. “So this was an educational opportunity as well, because now they all know how to eat at a four-course meal and the etiquette involved in that.”



All in all, the guests, and even the former bride-to-be ended up having such a good time that the Fowler's say they plan to host a similar event for the homeless next year.

Mrs. Fowler said that Tamara was in attendance and also ended up enjoying herself.

"We're very pleased that she's handling it so well. She was delighted to see and know others had an opportunity to enjoy something, rather than allow it to go to waste," Fowler added.



Omilami hopes that others will learn from the Fowler's example, and contact charities before letting an opportunity go to waste.

"The event on Sunday demonstrated how as a community when we come together and live in harmony, we can make a difference. Today is an example of harmony. Hosea Feed The Hungry is very thankful to the Fowler Family and their heart for the poor." Omilami said in a press release. "It is a blessing that this family provided an experience for those who are less fortunate to enjoy an afternoon with their family at one of Atlanta's premiere wedding venues. We are so thankful for their generosity."

The family dubbed the meal as "The First Annual Fowler Family Celebration of Love" and plan to host a similar event, paid for by sponsors, next year.



http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/homeless-enjoy-woman-canceled-wedding-article-1.1464704

good one, God bless them.

Wow, so nice of them. If they are so nice, I wonder y their child's weddin didn't work. Well God knws d best. Good Pple

Well, we do not always know the reason behind things, ie the why and wherefore, but at least the preparations werent a total loss.

Even in the bible, Jesus spoke of a similar incident where people refused to show up for a wedding and so feast was attended by non-invitees instead.


People get too caught up in the wedding glitziness anyway, not caring that wedding is totally different from marriage.

So nice of them!
Their generosity would not go unrewarded!
Just imagine 200 people praying for the family

I heard the mother being interviewed on the radio show this morning
that was a good thing they did

xoctic: Wow, so nice of them. If they are so nice, I wonder y their child's weddin didn't work.

well, this type of thing was featured in the wedding planner, girlfriends, etc.

we dont always know why things happen, or sometimes we do but dont know how to handle the consequences.

in any case, someone who is feeling that doubtful about the wedding, i guess would probably do the partner harm had they gone ahead.

perhaps.

Hmm

xoctic: Wow, so nice of them. If they are so nice, I wonder y their child's weddin didn't work. Well God knws d best. Good Pple

sometimes God prevents us from destrucyive things that we cannot see ahead of us.moreover every dissapointment is a blessing in disguise.at least its a blessing to the homeless people.

God must have seen the kind hearted nature of the brides parents and prevented the bride from the big decision she was about to take which might change the course of her life positively or negatively