SAUGUS — The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry distributed Thanksgiving meals to about 100 Saugus families.
The annual distribution is organized by Wendy Reed and a team of volunteers who collect, bag, and deliver the grocery items. The Saugus High School football team helped carry the food to nearly 100 families, some of them seniors and people living with debilitating disabilities, said food pantry volunteer Saritin Rizzuto.
“What amazes me every year is the joy you see on both the families and volunteers that enthusiastically come out time and time again to make sure families have what they need and are treated with dignity, said Rizzuto.
In previous years on Thanksgiving, many employees of Spud’s Restaurant and their families have volunteered their time to cook dinner for those in need.
The nearly 30-year tradition provided more than 20,000 turkey dinners, complete with all of the fixings, to clients of Greater Lynn Senior Services and Meals on Wheels in Lynn and Saugus.
Reed said there wasn’t a huge increase in families seeking help this year from last year, but she planned to help up to 125 families. She had also been giving out information on where people could go for Thanksgiving dinner for the past few weeks.
“This is what community looks like,” said Rizzuto.
The pantry accepts donations and serves families year-round.
