NORTH SMITHFIELD – Residents in need of some help with putting Thanksgiving dinner on the table this year will have a chance to get cooking after this Saturday, when town officials join representatives from the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Rhode Island to hand out 40 complete holiday meals.
The Woonsocket-based club has worked with Stop & Shop to provide 40 frozen turkeys with the fixings, to be passed out free to North Smithfield households.
Distribution will take place at Town Hall at 83 Greene St. starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, with meals to be handed out on a first come, first serve basis with one per household.
It is the second consecutive year for the program, which started last year after members of the club contacted Town Administrator Paul Zwolenski to coordinate the surprise donation.
“I myself will be there to distribute along with members of the Boys & Girls Club,” Zwolenski said.
The administrator thanks the club including members Gary Rebello, Nick Rogers and Mike Kenyon as well as Stop & Shop for helping town residents in need. When Zwolenski helped out with distribution last year, fixings included mashed potatoes, a vegetable, gravy and cranberry sauce, with everything passed out in less than ten minutes.
On Saturday, residents are asked to line up along Green Street and are advised not to pull into Town Hall.
“For traffic safety reasons, do not pull into parking lot,” Zwolenski said.
All those hoping to take home a dinner are asked to bring a photo ID.
Yes 600 turkeys and meals that day. I really wish more people would volunteer.
Hi SuzyQ, everyone had their licenses out, which to the mind’s eye, was not needed. I was there volunteering. It is given out to the elderly, disabled, and low-income families. First come, first serve means get in line. The people who came knew what that meant. They were VERY grateful. Please don’t muddle this event, which is sponsored by the Girls and Boys Clubs. They distributed over 600 turkeys that day. AND thank you for the people who PACKED these bags!!!
How about volunteering for one year to see who comes? Then you can spout out. If you would like to donate your car and gas to deliver to the elderly, disabled, and low-income people who sign up for one, that could be arranged.
I was so glad I could have that opportunity to help out the community. What about you?
As usual you attack the messenger, typical for NS. Seems no one can give their opinion without getting bashed. It was not in the article, the specifics, so,is why I was concerned. And while you write 600 turkeys, they only mentioned 40 complete meals…..so how about correcting the article first and foremost, but that would be too easy it seems. Giving the specifics only rather than bashing, would have sufficed.
I’m guessing Gail means in the larger region by the B & G Club in referencing 600 turkeys, although I’m not sure. At least prior to the distribution, it was set to be 40 complete meals in N.S. Also, it was first come, first serve without age or income requirements from what we were told. ID showing in town address was requested as mentioned above.
I believe the comment was directed to the larger question of volunteering
And so to add further, again, no need for bashing me…..when I referred to the article in question that did not expound….And she has no idea of my donations or volunteerism. But makes it personal often. Unnecessary so.
I would like to see this given out to the elderly, disabled and low-income only…they are primarily in need….
If anyone can just drive up who can well afford a meal in their lives, and yet get this free, seeing it is first come first served, just does not seem right in the distribution.