THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020 ~THE ADVOCATE ASKS~ Page 3 Volunteers – including members of the SHS Sachems football squad – discuss helping the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry deliver about 200 turkeys during the annual Thanksgiving food drive Editor’s Note: For this week, we decided to check out a news tip from the father of a Saugus High School football player who suggested that we go down to the Cliftondale Congregational Church last Saturday (Nov. 21) morning to watch the team get together for the fi rst time since last year’s Thanksgiving Game – to work with other volunteers in a community tradition of helping others. Collaborating with the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry, they loaded Thanksgiving meals into the cars of needy people who came to pick up their turkeys. Some of the players delivered the good will packages to the homes of needy families. The Saugus Advocate interviewed some of the players, other volunteers, Wendy Reed – the director of the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry – and some of the people who might not get to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal if not for the food drive. Highlights from last week’s interviews follow. Q: Were there any concerns that there might not be a food drive this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic? Wendy Reed: There was never any thought about that. We would have done it one way or another. Q: So, how many people got served this year? Reed: Probably close to 200 received the meals. But as far as the people in need, there were well over 200. Q: What was the general reaction you got from people who were helped by this generosity? Reed: They were very appreciative. This is something that a lot of them didn’t expect. We’ve had several families that consolidated into one house. We’ve had large households getting served today. Q: How did it go, overall? Reed: It went very well. We THE TEAM: Many of the volunteers who pitched in to help the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry’s annual Thanksgiving food drive last Saturday. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) helped more than last year and there was a bigger need this year. Last year 121 families registered, and we had 10 to 15 extras. The year before that was 75. But – I really want to stress – none of this could happen and we couldn’t assist as many as we do if not for Stop & Shop Saugus storing the turkeys until distribution day. Where do you put 200 turkeys? No way we’d be able to store all of those turkeys, so I want to give a big plug to Stop & Shop. Q: How much community support did you get? Reed: So many others donated, but here’s the hi-lights: Saugus Everett Elks kicked off our Thanksgiving drive by donating – $3,600. Walnut Associates – $2,000 Saugus Masons Membership Drive – $1,260 Attorney Marc Chapdelaine – $1,000 Kowalsky Insurance – $750 East Boston Savings Bank – $500 Webster First Credit Union – $350 Edward & Gail Alexander – $250 Gene & Arlene Decareau – $200 Jane Atherton – $200 Paul Serino – $150 Alexandria & Daniel De Oliveira – $150 Edmund & Grace Nazzaro – $100 Jean & Lisa Banks – $100 Gift Cards Saugus Italian American Club Stop & Shop Chris & Corinne Riley Chris Silva & Dante Brogna Steve & Kathy Sweezey Karen Donohue Groceries Employees of Ocean State ASKS | SEE PAGE 9 “Having a personal in-home visit with our nurse and care manager each month is so helpful.” Hoa, Caregiver to sister Nguyet 978-281-2612 AdultFosterCareNS.com Celebrating 19 Years Wishing you the best for a safe and healthy Thanksgiving.
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