The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
FISH family celebrates Thanksgiving together
TORRINGTON — The days leading up to Thanksgiving at the city's food pantry are hectic and exciting. Frozen turkeys fill the walkin freezer, boxes of stuffing and mashed potatoes are stacked high, and cans of vegetables and cranberry sauce fill every available space.
Tuesday signals the arrival of hundreds of needy families, who each receive a full turkey dinner to fill their holiday table. By 5:30 p.m., the families have headed home with their food, and dinner is served — at the shelter, for the residents, staff and volunteers.
“The FISH family Thanksgiving dinner is always on Tuesday, because a lot of people who are staying at the shelter have somewhere to go on Thursday,” said executive director Deirdre DiCara, as she welcomed guests to the shelter dining room. “This way, we can all have a little time together.”
At about 6 p.m., volunteers led by DiCara loaded a long table with trays of roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, along with homemade cornbread, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole and cranberry sauce. After saying grace, everyone got in line and filled their plates. The mood was one of camaraderie and comfort. “This is the best Thanksgiving I have ever had,” one woman said, clasping her hands together. “Thank you so much.”
The shelter is full — 35 people of all ages, including a 14monthold child, are staying safe and warm at FISH. Bill Martin, a Navy
veteran, has stayed in the shelter’s veteran wing for about two weeks, he said.
“I was staying in an auto body repair place, but some friends of mine said they didn’t think I should stay there anymore. There was no heat. It was too cold,” he said. “They got me in here. It’s a nice place. I’m glad I’m here.”
That’s the goal for all the residents, DiCara said, as she congratulated several other people at the dinner who were about to move into their own residences in the coming days. “I’m so proud and happy for all of you,” she said. “This is a family celebration, but it’s also for you.”
At FISH/Friends in Service to Humanity in Northwestern Connecticut, homeless are given the shelter they need and the tools they require to find a stable way of life, including housing, food and clothing. They are given the opportunity to find employment or assistance, depending on their needs. Hundreds of people make their way through the doors of FISH every year, and the winter months are the busiest. The food pantry shelves are stocked to the ceiling right now, thanks to food drives hosted by churches, police and fire organizations, civic groups and volunteers.
“We count on the food donations for Thanksgiving to get us through the holidays,” DiCara said. “The pantry’s full, and that’s a wonderful feeling.”
Melody, a former shelter resident who now has her own apartment, returned Tuesday night to join other volunteers and serve up the turkey and stuffing. “Deidre asked me to come, and of course I did,” she said.
Patti and Cathy, former shelter residents, were also there for dinner. “It’s nice to see everybody,” Cathy said. “I”m grateful.”
The abundance of food on the table was heartwarming for DiCara and her helpers. “We’re so grateful to all the people who help us every year,” she said, noting that Thursday’s free Thanksgiving dinner at Oliver Wolcott Technical School and the Knights of Columbus provide a place for people who might otherwise spend the day alone, or without food.
The pantry is full now, but the food disappears as quickly as it is collected, and donations are always needed. Last year the FISH pantry distributed enough food to provide 116,569 meals to its nearly 1,800 registered food pantry clients, according to DiCara. At the shelter, 102 residents were served, representing all ages from infants to seniors and veterans, at the 35 bed shelter, with 41 of those homeless residents relocated into permanent supportive housing. The challenges that remain are providing enough resources — food, most of all — to help people get back on their feet.
FISH/Friends in Service to Humanity of Northwestern Connecticut is located at 332 Main St. in Torrington. To reach the shelter, call 8604827300; or visit www.fishnwct.org .