Big-hearted residents really demonstrate their generosity during the holidays, especially at Thanksgiving when several meal initiatives and food giveaways are organized on behalf of the needy.
We want to take a minute to thank everyone for stepping up this Thanksgiving week.
Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development and United Way joined a regional effort to feed more than 1,000 people last Saturday and continued a tradition of giving that defines LHAND’s generosity.
In the spirit of giving, Everybody Eats gave away 100 turkeys, plus side dishes on the same day on Lynn Common. The brand-new initiative was a credit to the people who took time to organize it in the spirit of Lynn generosity.
On the other end of the spectrum — scale-wise — is the full-on feed George Markos of Brothers Deli sponsors annually. You would think a restaurateur who works year round would be compelled to take a day off and relax. You would be wrong: Markos is one of those people who cannot ignore the call to serve others and to ensure no one is counted out on a day when generosity and togetherness are highlighted.
Markos’ generosity is repeated all across the North Shore. Haven from Hunger in Peabody hosts a noontime Thanksgiving dinner with doors open at 11 a.m. at 71 Wallis St.
Salem’s Derby restaurant is offering free Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 189 Washington St. and Lifebridge in Salem and My Brother’s Table in Lynn also host dinners.
This week saw a surplus of other selfless efforts to bring the Thanksgiving spirit to people who might otherwise go hungry. The Multicultural Thanksgiving from Lynn’s Pathways Inc. not only celebrated the holiday, but also showcased the various ethnicities and nationalities that make Lynn such a great place.
Caponigro Construction helped foot the bill for the Fecteau-Leary School pre-Thanksgiving brunch, ensuring students from around the city enjoyed a holiday season kickoff. At St. Michael’s Hall, Lynn firefighters helped carry on a 30-year tradition feeding a Thanksgiving meal to more than 350 Lynn children.
Lynn residents with goodwill and helping hands go the extra mile year-round. But city residents never fail during the holidays to help the needy and underserved. Happy Thanksgiving.