Families flock for free Thanksgiving supplies
Needy families lined up around the block yesterday to get a free Thanksgiving turkey dinner at a Salvation Army recreation center in the South End.
James LaBossiere, general secretary for the state Salvation Army, said the South End location took in 1,267 applications for a Thanksgiving meal, 200 more than last year.
“Some of these folks - it’s the first time they’ve asked for help of this kind,’’ he said. “We try to ease that transition.’’
Families are required to preregister for a voucher so organizers know how much food to order and can ensure that each receives only one meal, he said. By 2 p.m., volunteers had given out a thousand meals. This year, 50 families without meal vouchers received unclaimed turkeys later in the afternoon, said Rita German, program director for the United Way. German said this year’s giveaway cost $56,000.
Volunteers guided families to various stations, where they could pick up their turkeys, vegetables, desserts, and even tablecloths and basting pans.
Maribel Santana of Dorchester filled a cart she had brought along with a 12-pound turkey, five pounds of potatoes, three pounds of carrots, onions, gravy and stuffing mix, and a pumpkin pie.
“It was joyful,’’ she said. “A lot of us here can’t afford the holidays and any organization like this can help.’’
Santana said the donated food will give her the opportunity to have a holiday meal with her three daughters, aged 23, 18, and 3. Her youngest daughter likes to help Santana cook, she said, and will be assisting with Thursday’s feast.
“I want her to have a good memory of it, the family and the closeness,’’ she said. “It’s not easy, it’s hard. Every little thing helps.’’
Roslindale resident Ariel Monges brought his three children to volunteer with him, as he has done for the past five years.
They have their routine down pat: Dad carries the turkey; Brandon, 13, and Nicole, 10, help carry the produce; and Nathan, 8, gets the aluminum basting pan and pumpkin pie. The Monges crew even trooped the provisions to a nearby resident’s house a block away, the boys in navy blue and khaki Scout shirts.
Monges said the recipients were appreciative: “There were thank-yous up and down.’’
