Thanksgiving Angels Show Up for Increased Need
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As the cost of living continues to rise, so does the need for Thanksgiving Angels.
The meal kit distribution effort has surpassed last year's numbers, serving more than 2,200 local families in need. Around 500 volunteers have helped with the entire process and on Monday, around 100 volunteers packed into the South Congregational Church for drive-through distribution.
Generosity is the engine that has powered Thanksgiving Angels for around 15 years.
"The community is so incredibly generous with financials and their time and helping us to pull this off," co-Chair Gretchen DeBartolo said.
"… it's a lot of hands, an awful lot of hands, and without that, there'd be nothing."
There were about 600 home deliveries over the weekend for the elderly, those with disabilities, and those without a vehicle.
"People have been generous with in-kind donations and with money," co-Chair Hope Amandos said.
"I think we will be able to cover our expenses. I think we did well with donations."
Every year, more than 20 religious and community organizations work together to create free meal kits for people who would otherwise go without. These include everything needed for a Thanksgiving spread — even the turkey.
Berkshire United Way, one of the official partner organizations, took over volunteer recruitment and management last year.
"It's such an amazing way for people to give back if it's two hours or multiple shifts," Director of Volunteer Engagement Brenda Petell said.
"We've had so many organizations step up this year, new organizations, new individuals, and my most favorite part of this is getting youth involved."
While schools were out on Veterans Day, around 40 kids from Nessacus Middle School, Pittsfield High School, Taconic High School, Lenox Memorial High School, and Congregation Knesset Israel were packing boxes.
Petell said parents will also bring their children along for the charitable work. The youngest volunteer was only 3 years old and stocked shelves with freshly baked bread.
State Rep. Tricia Farley Bouvier was among the volunteers, with tasks ranging from packing food to directing traffic. She finds Thanksgiving Angels is "one of the very best things that shows what our community is made of," pointing to the year of planning and months of active work needed to prepare.
"I'm really happy to play any small part in the response from the community. The number of volunteers who are here, some of them doing small jobs, some of them doing big jobs, is just really gratifying," she said.
"But I don't think we can ever forget that the need is growing. People are hungry in this community. Those things have to be addressed systemically."
On Tuesday, the Thanksgiving Angels will be at the church for a few hours in the morning to hand out any leftovers. Board member Grace Walton estimated that they may reach 3,000 families after this.
"This year is wonderful," she said. "It's so good to see so many people now that really want to give back to the community."
She is glad to see the donation grow each year.
Longtime coordinator Mary Wheat, who also founded the South Community Food Pantry, has guided the effort into the future. This year, she worked remotely while recovering from an injury.
It began when various organizations doing similar Thanksgiving meal programs decided to consolidate their efforts and resources into one coordinated and more efficient program.
Amandos and DeBartolo were selected as iBerkshires' October Community Heroes of the Month.
The Community Hero of the Month series recognizes individuals and organizations that have significantly impacted their community. This month's nomination concludes the series, which is in partnership with Haddad Auto.
Tags: food drive, thanksgiving,
