Thanksgiving Meals
Thanksgiving is a holiday where families can gather together, strengthen their relationships and contemplate their blessings. Unfortunately, it is also a day when the plight of poverty stricken families is made all the more visible. More and more families can not afford the luxury of an extravagant meal. ISS’ mission is to…strengthen family life and offer assistance to anyone in need; this holiday affords us an opportunity to fulfill our twofold mission.
Clients begin signing up for Thanksgiving baskets in September of every year. ISS works closely with all of the other South Shore emergency food programs to ensure that each client only receives holiday assistance from one food pantry. Each family receives a meal package which contains everything that they need to enjoy a happy and fulfilling Thanksgiving. Most meal packages include: Turkey, sweet potatoes, white potatoes, carrots, fruit, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, green beans, corn, rolls, gravy (cans or mix), pie filling or an actual pie as well as various condiments
In 2009 ISS’ Thanksgiving program provided meals to over 4,000 South Shore residents; a 43% increase over 2008.
Clients and volunteers assemble meal packages for distribution.