Everett City Councilor John Leo McKinnon, the Everett Kiwanis Club, Everett Elks Club, the Whidden Hospital and the Craft Brewers Guild of Boston are just a few of the local organizations that have donated to the Everett Human Services department’s annual holiday meals program for local, needy families.
According to Human Services Director Carolyn Lightburn, Councilor McKinnon donated 10 cases of canned vegetables and gift cards to purchase ten turkeys last week, which will help some of the more than 200 families in Everett that need help celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday this week.
“This program works entirely through donations and we are very fortunate a lot of donations from several individuals and organizations,” said Lightburn. “The Cambridge Health Alliance donated $1,000 on behalf of the Whidden Hospital, the Kiwanis Club donated 150 turkeys and the Elks Club has delivered meals to 30 families for us, so far.”
Lightburn explained that many of the meals, gift cards and packages were delivered to needy residents last Thursday and Friday, with more expected to be delivered on Monday and Tuesday.
“Our goal is to be done delivering by Tuesday and then have only last minute emergencies to deal with on Wednesday,” said Lightburn.
The program is not over though, as the Everett Human Services department expects to deliver at least another 200 meals during the December holiday season.
“Lester Morowitz has already donated $5,000 in gift cards to help us through the Christmas season,” said Lightburn. “We’ll be continuing to take donations throughout December to help with that.”
The Everett Human Services Department accepts donations of non-perishables foods, gift cards and cash to help make the program work. Anyone who is interested in donating to support the program for the Christmas season is asked to contact the department at the Edward Connolly Center on Chelsea Street or by calling 617-394-2260.