If you need help filling the Thanksgiving table, these food pantries are lending a hand

Tom Benoit, The MetroWest Daily News
·3 min read

As Thanksgiving nears, Open Table in Maynard prepared premade Thanksgiving meals for those in need.

On Monday, Nov. 13, the pantry assembled in its kitchen 500 Thanksgiving meals for distribution. Executive Director Alex DePalo told the Daily News that the food pantry planned to distribute "make your own Thanksgiving kits" and between 850 to 900 prepared Thanksgiving meals this year. The food pantry also made vegan Thanksgiving meals to accommodate dietary restrictions.

In addition, Open Table also works with other local agencies to distribute food to people in need.

"We don't compete, we collaborate," said DePalo, who previously served as Framingham's director of public health. "Because getting to Maynard is unrealistic for some people, we have a deliver partnership model where we partner with trusted organizations like churches and schools to get meals out to people."

Beth Dergarabedian was part of the assembly line at Open Table in Maynard that prepared 500 Thanksgiving meals on Nov. 13.
Beth Dergarabedian was part of the assembly line at Open Table in Maynard that prepared 500 Thanksgiving meals on Nov. 13.

Open Table has a staff of volunteers to help with distribution. Laura Inouye, of West Concord, has been volunteering for more than a year.

"It's really important because everyone needs to eat," she said. "It breaks my heart to see families of five, six and 10 sometimes struggling to get food."

Distribution was conducted through Open Table's drive-through system at its 33 Main St. location in Maynard. To order food and other resources, visit its www.opentable.org/programs/.

Other MetroWest and Greater Milford food pantries with Thanksgiving programs include:

Mary Siegel, president of the board of directors at Open Table, helps out during distribution of Thanksgiving meals, Nov. 14, 2023.
Mary Siegel, president of the board of directors at Open Table, helps out during distribution of Thanksgiving meals, Nov. 14, 2023.

United Way of Tri-County

Pearl Street Cupboard and Cafe, 46 Park St., Framingham; Marlborough Community Cupboard, 255 Main St., Marlborough; and WHEAT Community Connections, 272 High St., Clinton

For decades, the United Way of Tri-County has been offering free community programs and services for underprivileged and underserved individuals and families in 35 communities.

In a statement, CEO Paul Mina said the organization's goal this holiday season is to provide a turkey and "all the fixings" to 3,000 families.

But it won't come easy.

“2023 has been exceptionally difficult,” Mina said. “We are struggling to provide enough food for our clients this holiday season. Everywhere we go, grocery items are unavailable, or prices are incredibly inflated, so we are reaching out to the community for help.”

Can you help? To donate, visit the United Way’s website at www.uwotc.org/feed or text “FEED” to 91999. Checks can be mailed to the United Way of Tri-County, Feed-A-Family, 46 Park St., Framingham, MA 01702.

Volunteer Tara Roselli delivers Thanksgiving meal fixings at Open Table in Maynard, where hundreds of Thanksgiving dinners were prepared a day earlier, Nov. 14, 2023.
Volunteer Tara Roselli delivers Thanksgiving meal fixings at Open Table in Maynard, where hundreds of Thanksgiving dinners were prepared a day earlier, Nov. 14, 2023.

Daniel's Table partners with Jack's Abby

10 Pearl St. Framingham

Daniel's Table, a nonprofit, is collaborating with Framingham brewery Jack's Abby Craft Lagers to provide registered guests with a full Thanksgiving dinner.

Daniel's Table is giving guests a choice of a turkey or a chicken, with side dishes provided by Jack's Abby. Guests will also be provided with a week's worth of groceries. Distribution takes place from 3-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22.

The Daily Bread Food Pantry

21 Exchange St., Milford

The family-owned Daily Bread Food Pantry is providing turkeys for families in need.

The pantry, founded by Cheryl and John DeAngelo in October 1991, and is led by their son, Francis DeAngelo.

The Worcester County Food Bank in Shrewsbury provided turkeys and gift cards for Daily Bread's clients. In addition, the pantry purchased an additional 200 gift cards from local grocery stores due to stores not accepting large orders of turkeys.

Food is distributed on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m.

An assembly line prepares hundreds of Thanksgiving dinners for distribution at Open Table in Maynard, Nov. 13, 2023.
An assembly line prepares hundreds of Thanksgiving dinners for distribution at Open Table in Maynard, Nov. 13, 2023.

Celebration International Church food pantry

6 Loker St. Wayland

Celebration International Church's food pantry's mission is to serve MetroWest residents by providing groceries in a time of need. As part of its yearly "Turkey Express," Celebration International Church Food Pantry handed out turkeys and a free bag of food for people who previously signed up.

Franklin Food Pantry

341 West Central St., Franklin

Along with its yearly Turkey Trot, the Franklin Food Pantry plans to give out holiday meals again this year.

The food pantry on Saturday planned to distribute gift cards to be used toward a main course, side dishes, a dessert and rolls, as well as some holiday-themed dishes. Due to high demand, those who were placed on a wait list will receive meals on Monday, Nov. 20.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Thanksgiving meal distribution underway at local food pantries