PLATTSBURGH. N.Y. (WCAX) – The spirit of giving was on display across our region on this holiday, including at a North Country nonprofit that provided a Thanksgiving meal to those in need.
“To see the smiles on somebody’s faces when they walk in, they get themselves a meal, they fill up and can’t be thankful enough,” volunteer Ed Kirby said.
For the last six Thanksgivings, Kirby has volunteered in the kitchen on Thanksgiving. For him, it’s about personal connection.
“I lost my son to an overdose 10 years ago and I got into the community, the recovery community, volunteer all of my time that I can to be here and help everybody that I can,” Kirby said.
He was one of many volunteers at this year’s sixth annual recovery community dinner, sponsored by area organizations, like the Champlain Valley Family Center.
This year, volunteers are cooking up 911 deliveries, more than 300 takeouts and could feed more than 1,500 families.
“I think that with the times and the way the economy is, there are more people in need than there were last year,” said Denis King, the director of recovery services at the Champlain Valley Family Center.
The annual dinner helps to ensure people have a warm meal and good company this holiday season.
“I know what it’s like to be alone and I know what it’s like to be, to feel that no one cares,” King said. “I would just want everyone to know that there are people out there that care and that think everybody is deserving of a wonderful Thanksgiving and a good meal.”