United Way Calls for Volunteers to Help Pack 5,000 Thanksgiving Meals

United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley is seeking volunteers to help pack meals for 5,000 low income families beginning November 14. United Way's 14th Annual Thanksgiving Project is the largest initiative of its kind in the region and will bring together several local nonprofits including Catholic Charities, Interfaith Social Services and Weymouth Food Pantry. The Thanksgiving Project has expanded significantly to meet the increased need spurred by the prolonged economic crisis, growing from serving 1,000 families in 2009 to 5,000 this holiday.

"The project began in 1998 when an anonymous donor contributed funds to provide 10 families with Thanksgiving dinner," said Michael Durkin, president and CEO of United Way. "Since then, the support of donors and volunteers has enabled us to dramatically increase the project's reach. This will be the largest Thanksgiving Project we have ever held and we need the community's help to make it happen."

United Way needs to pre-pack 5,000 Thanksgiving baskets during the week of November 14th at Catholic Charities in Dorchester. Thanksgiving baskets include a large turkey, stuffing, potatoes and pie plus additional culturally-appropriate food.  Hundreds of volunteers (from kids to senior citizens) help make the day possible by packing baskets, sorting food, and handing out food to families. There will be three shifts for packing (9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm and 6pm-9pm). Volunteers can come for one hour or three hours. Single volunteers and groups are welcome to sign up.

Volunteers can request additional information or sign up to help by emailing volunteer@supportunitedway.org. Volunteers should include the day(s) they are available to volunteer (Monday 11/14, Tuesday 11/15, Wednesday 11/16, Thursday 11/17, or Friday 11/18) and which time slot(s) (9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm and 6pm-9pm).

Thanksgiving baskets will be distributed to families at six locations in Boston, Merrimack Valley and the South Shore on Saturday, November 19. The Thanksgiving Project this year was made possible by support from C&S Wholesale Grocers, Dunkin' Donuts, Goya, Legal Sea Foods, JP Morgan, Putnam Investments, UPS, Bethel AME, Morning Star Baptist and Jubilee. Individuals and companies wishing to help provide basic needs this season can get involved at www.chooseyourimpact.org/thanksgiving.