CAPE COD – As families across the country prepare for Thanksgiving, it’s hard not to think of those who are less fortunate and can’t afford a warm meal to enjoy on the holiday.
The Community Action Committee of Cape Cod and the Islands (CACCI) is back this year to provide hundreds of needy families with Thanksgiving baskets and a warm holiday meal.
“We have a rich history here on the Cape serving the Cape and the Islands and we’ve run programs over the years that help people get on childcare, that support folks needing shelter from domestic violence at our Safe Harbor Shelter, we work the health connector to help people get on public health insurance, and then we have our holiday programs,” said CACCI Director of Compliance and Self-Sufficiency Caronanne Procacinni.
Private contributions help CACCI provide a complete Thanksgiving dinner to low income families.
The baskets include a full Thanksgiving Day meal, with a turkey and numerous sides including sweet potatoes, seasoned stuffing, cranberry sauce, squash, beans, and more. Last year, the committee provided nearly 200 families with a Thanksgiving meal.
“Holiday programs are really exciting because they get a lot of community participation. We’ve been very grateful to have St. Mary’s as one of the key partners in our Thanksgivings for Cape Codders and have been doing this for quite a few years,” Procacinni said.
The committee has been collecting donations for this year’s baskets, giving participants five different contribution options.
Those donating can fill a basket “with all the fixings,” and a frozen turkey for $60; fill a basket with a $25 gift card to a local supermarket; just fill a basket for a cost of $35; help supply a turkey to dropped off to a family in need for $25; or underwrite the cost of a basket or turkey with a check made payable to CACCI.
Volunteer Ron Bearse says that as an official holiday, Thanksgiving was not born from a Pilgrim feast with Native Americans, but instead during the height of the Civil War.
“When President Abraham Lincoln designated the day to express appreciation for the blessings of fruitful fields and helpful skies,” Bearse explained.
“As many of us sit down to enjoy Turkey Dinner during Thanksgiving I think it’s very important to remember the millions of Americans who have little in the way of bounty to be grateful for. Unfortunately, although things continue to look good for the country from an economic standpoint, we still have millions today that are striving to find food every day.”
St. Mary’s Church has been CACCI’s partner in the annual Thanksgiving effort since 2009.
By TIM DUNN, CapeCod.com News Center
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