27 Nov 20 Years of Serving Thanksgiving Meals
This year marked the 20th year of Community Thanksgiving Meal, which serves hundreds of free, hot and delicious Thanksgiving meals to neighbors and friends in Freeport.
Volunteers delivered many meals, some people came to pick up meals in carry-out containers, while others stayed for sit-down meals in community. Entertainers played music and did performance art, and a word salad project invited folks to create an impromptu poem.
Jonas Werner, who started and has led the effort all these years, brings together the many volunteers and restaurants who help to realize this special event. He wore the tattered apron of his grandmother, whom he remembers as the inspiration for his efforts.
Carol Southall, one of the founders of FCS, hung people’s coats as they entered and brought six of her grandchildren to volunteer alongside her for the day. She said she has brought them all since they were little to instill in them the value of volunteering.
WGME 13 came to the Thanksgiving Day Meal and published a television report and online article about the day.
Many people made the day come together.
Russell Donahue sang and performed on guitar and other instruments.
Sam Kilborne entertained guests as a performance artist – a waiter who offered guests items from his magic serving tray.
Lesa Andreasen led the crew as the Day of Volunteer Coordinator, and Mark Donahue, manager at Tuscan Bistro, served as Food Coordinator.
Many volunteers served, set tables, delivered to go meals and much more.
Photo gallery
For the meal itself, Gritty’s roasted the turkeys, and other businesses contributed dishes, including First Baptist Church of Freeport, First Paris Congregational Church, Freeport Grange, Linda Bean’s Maine Kitchen, Royal River Grill House and Tuscan Bistro.
Learn more about the food drives and other efforts that went into our Thanksgiving programs.