Exeter Thanksgiving Helping Hands event to take place this Saturday

The Exeter Department of Social Services’ Thanksgiving Helping Hands event is taking place Saturday November 18th at the Exeter Chapel on route 102. The Social Services Department held their “take a bag, fill a bag” event again this year, recommending donations of stuffing, canned vegetables, gravy, and other Thanksgiving staples. Empty bags could be picked up from local farms, the town hall, and the public library. Filled bags were required to be returned to the Exeter Town Hall or Public Library between November 8th and 15th during regular business hours. The department has received over 50 filled bags from generous residents and local businesses.

At this time, there are 75 families enrolled to receive donations. There will be at least ten deliveries to homebound residents as well and these residents will be receiving pies that the department purchased from Morris Farms as they spread holiday cheer.

The Narragansett Gun Club donated 18 filled bags and provided a donation to Our Kids Farm for fresh produce for local families with funds they raised during their October fundraiser. The Exeter Grange has also donated $500 to be used to purchase additional produce from local farms including potatoes, carrots, and apples. Exeter’s social services director, Jessica DeMartino, expressed her gratitude in being able to support local farms while providing support to families in need, “we are keeping the money local…we use donations from town [organizations] and pay local farms for produce…people contributed, and we were able to take care of our town within our town.”

Kiki’s Garden donated butternut squash from this year’s harvest. Yawgoo Valley Ski donated filled bags as well as $100. Chestnut Hill provided fifty $20 Stop and Shop gift cards as well. Boy Scout Troop 45 also held a food drive on November 4th where they collected over 1000 pounds of goods.

The Exeter Chapel donated 25 filled bags and provides a space for the event as well as volunteers to help facilitate on Saturday. Setup will begin Friday night with volunteers from the church as well as three sets of parents with their high school students. DeMartino has been pleased by the number of volunteers they have been receiving, expressing with a smile that there are “almost too many volunteers” and how uplifting it is to see neighbors coming together to help one another during this trying economic time.

Residents are expected to

arrive at Exeter Chapel for their goods between ten in the morning and noon on

Saturday. Volunteers will check people in and carry bags out to vehicles. Those in need will receive bags with canned and dry items, produce from local farms and will also be given the choice between a $25 gift card or a fresh turkey. Turkeys were donated by a local resident as well. DeMartino shared that bags are “always filled with extra touches” by residents including festive placemats, candies, and special desserts. Exeter Chapel’s Pioneer Club also makes handmade cards for every bag.

On the 18th Exeter’s Social Service Department will also have hats and scarves from last year’s Warm-Your-Neighbor event offered to those in need. These are items that were made by the community for the community.