Community offers multiple options for free Thanksgiving dinners
November 6, 2023 | By Waterbury Roundabout Update Nov. 8: This post has been updated with additional information about free Thanksgiving meals in the community.
For nearly two decades, Waterbury’s seniors and family members are treated to a complimentary Thanksgiving dinner at the Waterbury Area Senior Center thanks to a volunteers. File photo
Several local organizations are preparing to help community members who would like to have a Thanksgiving holiday dinner but who might not have the means to prepare a fancy meal themselves.
The folks at National Life in Montpelier along with Sodexo are assembling to-go meals for residents of Washington County. There are no age or eligibility requirements, just a request to sign up by this Friday, Nov. 10, to either pick up or have it delivered.
In Waterbury, Albert Caron along with Marge and Ron Guylas at the Waterbury Area Senior Center are planning their 19th annual dinner for local seniors and their families on Thanksgiving Day. Also no charge, but reservations are required by Monday, Nov. 20.
And at the Waterbury Common Market (formerly the Waterbury Area Food Shelf), will have turkeys collected from a drive this weekend along with supplies for side dishes packaged up and ready for pickup starting next week.
Details on each special effort are below.
Sign up by Nov. 10 for free, to-go Thanksgiving dinners
For the fourth year, National Life Group and Sodexo will provide free, to-go Thanksgiving dinners for community members throughout Washington County.
The signup deadline is this Friday, Nov. 10. Organizers are collaborating with area groups and volunteers to assist with pick-up or delivery. Both traditional turkey and vegetarian meals will be available.
This is the fourth year for this effort that began at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 after the annual community meal hosted by Washington County Youth Service Bureau was canceled. Last year, more than 1,300 meals were picked up or delivered. This year, due to resource constraints, organizers say that 1,000 meals will be available.
Here’s how it works:
Participants must make a meal reservation in advance by calling 802-229-7300 or sending an email to giving@nationallife.com by the end of the day on Nov. 10. There are no eligibility criteria to meet other than being a resident of Washington County.
Individuals should give a name, how many meals they will be picking up, at what location, and if they prefer traditional or vegetarian meals. Those requesting meal delivery should leave a name, a complete address, phone number, number of meals (traditional or vegetarian), and any specific information for delivery drivers for example, “Leave on porch in cooler.”
Also, anyone interested in volunteering can do so with a call or email to those same contacts.
Delivery to home addresses will be done on Monday, Nov. 20, starting at 10 a.m. Home deliveries will be a doorstop drop. During the sign-up, participants requesting delivery are asked to provide details with any specific instructions for delivery drivers to know where to leave meals.
Those picking up meals may do so between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at two locations in Montpelier:
Outside Bethany Church, 115 Main St., Montpelier. This option is walk-up.
Outside the National Life Group main entrance, at 1 National Life Drive, Montpelier. This option is drive-through only. Participants are asked to remain in their cars and volunteers will bring meals out to them.
Community partners assisting with the program include Bethany Church, Burtt’s Apple Orchard, Cabot Creamery, Capstone Community Action, Central Vermont Medical Center, La Brea Bakery and Sysco Corporation.
The Thanksgiving meal event is part of National Life Group’s corporate philanthropy programs. Learn more about those here.
A Waterbury tradition: Dinner for seniors
The 19th annual Thanksgiving Dinner for the area's seniors and their families will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, at the Waterbury Area Senior Center.
The dinners are served at no charge as a “thank you” to local seniors for helping make our communities the caring and supportive places that they are.
The dinner begins at noon for those 65 or older along with up to four family members. There is no charge to anyone in the party.
Organizers ask that those interested make a reservations either for dining in at the senior center or to pick up and take meals home. Call the senior center at 802-244-1234 by Monday, Nov. 20, to reserve a seat or sign up for take out.
This event is put on entirely by volunteers who prepare, cook and serve meals, decorate the dining room, provide small gifts for the seniors and handle clean up. Any business or individual who would like to donate food, unwrapped gifts, or money for gifts for seniors or have questions regarding the event may call Albert Caron at 802-244-7202 or Marge Gulyas at 802-793-0879.
From Waterbury Common Market
Waterbury Common Market will be collecting and distributing turkeys for Thanksgiving. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti
The Waterbury Common Market will have a supply of turkeys thanks to the Waterbury Rotary Club’s turkey drive happening this Saturday.
Free turkeys and other dinner fixings will be ready for pickup starting on Monday, Nov. 13. Supplies will be limited, so market Director Sara Whitehair recommends that folks stop in this week or call 802-244-1561 to reserve a bag of dinner supplies. The Rotary event also is contributing desserts to the dinner kits, she added.
Pick up times at the market located at 57 S. Main St. are:
Monday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. to noon
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 3-5 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m. to noon
Monday, Nov. 20, 10 a.m. to noon
Wednesday, Nov. 22, 3-5 p.m.