Good Shepherd’s annual Thanksgiving feast continued this Monday, marking its 63rd year. The event, hosted by Good Shepherd, a prominent provider of social services in Hamilton, offers a complimentary meal to all members of the community.
Brother Richard MacPhee, the CEO of Good Shepherd, described the Thanksgiving dinner as a delightful spread featuring hot roasted turkey drenched in savory gravy, accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes blended with butter and love, and fresh seasonal vegetables showcasing the flavors of autumn.
Michael Troskot, the director of The Good Shepherd Centre, anticipated serving between 400 to 500 individuals, with the number potentially reaching 600. Troskot emphasized the community’s unity during the event, highlighting the positive atmosphere where people engage in conversations and celebrate Thanksgiving together.
Troskot revealed that Good Shepherd served a total of 104,000 hot meals throughout 2023, underscoring the prevalent issue of food insecurity affecting many households. He noted a significant increase in the utilization of the Good Shepherd Venture Centre Food Bank, with nearly 40% more people seeking assistance since 2022 due to rising food and housing costs.
Expressing appreciation, Troskot commended the Good Shepherd kitchen team for their dedication in preparing and serving the meals with creativity and love. Greg McCausland, who oversees the kitchen team, mentioned the continuous growth in the number of meals served, with up to 300 individuals benefiting from the community meal each day.
McCausland disclosed that extensive planning and preparation were carried out weeks in advance to ensure the success of this year’s Thanksgiving meal. With the help of volunteers, the staff assembled and distributed meals, including a Chudleigh’s apple blossom dessert, bottled water, juice, fresh fruit, and an Oh Henry! bar to each recipient.
On Monday, Good Shepherd reported serving a total of 530 meals, with 100 meals at St. John’s Church, 200 delivered to Good Shepherd residences and shelters, and 50 distributed to individuals in the men’s shelter, totaling 880 turkey dinners served this year.
