GLOUCESTER – Members of the Capt. Lester S. Wass Post 3 American Legion, its Sons of the American Legion and Auxiliary Unit along with dozens of volunteers served up more than 600 meals on Cape Ann on Thanksgiving morning.
The crew assembled at The Open Door on Emerson Avenue this year where members prepared the turkey dinner with all the fixings and a rotating line of volunteer servers had meals served into compostable trays that were then packed for drivers to deliver. The Gloucester Sea Cadets were on hand to bring the meals to drivers who then delivered them to homes across Greater Cape Ann.
The meals were scooped into the trays by volunteers that included former City Councilor Melissa Cox scooping up slices of turkey. City Council President Tony Gross used an ice cream scoop for the stuffing and former Ward 2 Councilor Barry Pett got the meals handed to him from the service line.
Mayor Greg Verga, his wife, Kellie, and City Councilor at-Large Jeff Worthley were on hand to help in the serving line. Mayor-elect Paul Lunderg delivered meals.
Commander Peter Favazza III said they expected to serve more than 600 meals. That morning, they were going over the list getting it ready for the drivers. He said there were 42 volunteers for the meal service and 52 volunteer drivers.
Preparation for the meal began two months ago.
“This is end result,” Favazza said. “The kitchen staff has been left alone because they know what they are doing we just have to get the numbers. The Open Door supplies a lot of the food.
“We do this because there is a need,” he said. “Obviously if we are going to spit out 600 meals there is 600 people that for some reason or another don’t have the capability of doing it themselves.
“The fact that we have up to 100 volunteers that are willing to give up some of their time from their family so others without family can have a warm meal. My predecessor Mark Nestor, he said it the best: ‘Everyone who wants one should have a hot meal on Thanksgiving.’”
Michael Dulski of Rockport gave up some of his time on Thanksgiving to serve meals.
“I’ve kind of noticed some patterns in myself that I’ve been taking some things for granted,” he said. “Today, I can’t be home with my family so I figured I’d come help families who really need the help.”
Ethan Forman may be contacted at 978-675-2714, or at eforman@northofboston.com.