PEABODY— Thousands of people came to Woodbridge Road throughout the weekend for a free Thanksgiving meal. Each year, Gina Goodwin feeds those in need out of her home. The scope of the project has consistently grown, and the trend continued in its 10th year. This year, “Gina’s Giving Back” is expected to feed more than 12,000 people.
Goodwin’s initial inspiration for the good deed came during Thanksgiving seasons when she and her husband, Ed, worked as community nurses.
“We used to work on Thanksgiving morning and the patients used to be so happy to see us because we would be the only face they would see for the day,” Goodwin said. “We used to bring leftover meals to them.”
However, Goodwin explained the real catalyst that drove her to help more people each year: her seven adopted children.
“My older children really suffered from food insecurity before they came here,” Goodwin said. “They were found on the streets eating out of trash cans, and I promised them that they would never have to go through that again.”
She added that her kids are very involved in the fundraiser because they were instilled with the importance of giving back and ensuring that others do not have to endure what they once did.
Goodwin’s meal provisions come in two different forms. One is for people who are able to cook their meal, but not financially able to purchase the necessary ingredients. They receive a turkey, ham, or gift card when they come to Goodwin’s residence.
Alternatively, those who are unable to cook due to financial issues, illness, or disability can have a cooked meal delivered to their doorstep. The meal-prep process began on Sept. 1 and Goodwin finally got to see her hard work pay off nearly three months later. The funds raised to provide the meals are earned solely through donations on GoFundMe. This year, Goodwin has received nearly $13,000 in donations.
It takes more volunteers than just Goodwin’s large family for a project of this magnitude. She credited North Shore Wings Hockey Club of Middleton for assisting with the home delivery. In addition, Malden Catholic High School students have helped by providing food donations. Kids from Peabody elementary schools contribute homemade Thanksgiving cards for each recipient.
“You can go in and buy 10,000 Hallmark cards, right?” Goodwin asked rhetorically. “But something about a homemade turkey hand is so warming.”
Goodwin was emphatic that she will never turn anyone in need of a meal away.
“If you know someone that is in need of a meal, they should contact me, because I never say no,” she said.
