Lakes Region shows up to provide Thanksgiving meals for all

Thanksgiving is celebrated throughout the United States this week as people get together with their families for a big meal. But there are some who are not able to participate in this tradition. Throughout the Lakes Region, nonprofits, churches and organizations provide meals for people in need, whether it be food or community.

Places like St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, Northfield-Tilton food pantry and the Congregational Church of Laconia provided meal baskets and to-go meals for individuals or entire families. Nancy Wilson, director of the Northfield-Tilton food pantry, said although the pantry didn’t start offering Thanksgiving meals until a couple of years ago, she believes it’s important for all families to have a Thanksgiving dinner.

“Why should I sit down to a nice Thanksgiving dinner with my family when I know there are people out there that don't have anything to eat?” Wilson wondered. “I'm one of 12 children. My mother went through a lot. She never went without Thanksgiving dinner because people in the community brought her a basket. Well, I'm paying it forward. They brought a basket for my family. Now I'm helping them."

The annual Mae Hart Thanksgiving dinner serves about 50 people each year at Meredith Community Center. Surveying the tables, it was evident there were many senior citizens. Judi Ironfield, 78, doesn’t believe this to be an accident. This dinner has given her a community she would not have without the meal. She recalls her thoughts when she saw the promotion for the dinner for the first time.

“They had written a paper they were going to have this turkey dinner and a chance for us to get out and meet some people,” Ironfield said. “So, I've gotten to know more senior people ... ever since my husband passed away three years ago.”

No matter what the reason is, volunteers across the Lakes Region ensured that everyone was able to be a part of this holiday by giving back to their community.