Thanksgiving meals are plenty thanks to South Shore organizations

Thousands of South Shore residents who would have otherwise gone without will have a warm meal this Thanksgiving as several nonprofits work to ensure those without the means, families or homes are taken care of. 

In Quincy and Brockton, Father Bill's and Mainspring will feed hundreds of people through its largest-ever meal delivery program. In Hull, Meals on Wheels is expected to deliver upwards of 400 dinners and Lombardo's in Randolph is working with nearly a dozen local community groups to ensure a hot meal ends up in the hands of everyone who needs it. 

The annual Father Bill's community Thanksgiving meal won't be the close-knit event of the last 30 years, but the local nonprofit is still dedicated to providing a holiday dinner to those in need.

Dinners in Quincy and Brockton usually feed hundreds with up to 200 volunteers cooking, serving and cleaning up. This year, Father Bill's is switching to a meal delivery model and will serve nearly 1,000 dinners, the largest single-day meal total in the agency's history.

"It's sad we won't be able to see each other this year, but we are still working to make it happen,"  said John Yazwinski, president of the nonprofit.

This year, Christ Church will serve as a hub for coordinating about 50 volunteer delivery drivers who will cart meals to homes throughout the city. For shelter guests in Brockton, Quincy and in local hotels, a meal will be served by only Father Bill's staff.

The shelter is asking the public to donate to a special Thanksgiving fund set up to pay for the meals. The goal is to raise $15,000, and Yazwinski said a pair of anonymous donors have already pledged to match contributions up to $7,500. Donations can be made at helpfbms.org.

Father Bill's has coordinated with the Quincy and Weymouth housing authorities, along with other agencies, to organize meal delivery. Anyone in need of a meal can request one by calling 617-770-3314 or visiting helpfbms.org.

Those in the Hull area can pick up a takeout Thanksgiving dinner, or get one delivered via Meals on Wheels, in place of the usual free dinner hosted at Daddy's Beach Club, which will be limited this year due to COVID-19. 

Craig Wolfe, who is handling much of the planning, said in past years he would pick people up and take them to the restaurant for the dinner. When it started six years ago, they had 15 to 20 diners. This year, he expects they will serve more than 400 meals.

A drive-thru line for takeout will be set up. People can call 781-925-3600 to request delivery or a takeout meal. Pickup will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wolfe said a variety of community groups are donating the food, including the South Shore Community Action Council. In addition to the Thanksgiving meal, they will be giving away extra bags of food and desserts.

"They're not just getting one piece of turkey and a few slices of pie," Wolfe said.

Volunteers will set up an assembly line in front of the restaurant to pack meals and stuff bags and others will make deliveries. Prospective volunteers can call Wolfe at 781-771-6416.

The Lombardo family of Randolph is again hosting its annual “Giving Thanks Celebration,” a free Thanksgiving dinner for seniors, but not at the usual venue.

Social distancing and occupancy limits brought on by COVID-19 have changed Lombardo's 50-year tradition. More than 38,000 people have been fed over the last 49 years, and almost 800 were served last year alone.

The holiday dinners will this year be delivered by or picked up at local community centers on Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving.

Lombardo's has launched a fundraiser to help pay for the Thanksgiving meals. For $10 per meal, local residents can help fund preparation and delivery. Donations can be made on Facebook or by sending checks made out to David Lombardo to 6 Billings St. Randolph, MA 02368.

As of this week, more than $12,000 had been raised from more than 100 donors. The goal is $15,000.

Nearly a dozen communities are participating in Lombardo's "Deliver Thanksgiving" event. The current list includes councils on aging in Avon, Braintree, Easton, Milton, Norwood and Weymouth; the WIC program in Brockton; Aspire Health Alliance in Braintree; the Randolph Intergenerational Community Center; and the Salvation Army and Atlantic Clubhousein Quincy.

Older adults, as well as people who do not have a family to spend the holiday with this year, are invited to register for a meal. Those interested in getting a meal should contact their local agency.

Reach Mary Whitfill at mwhitfill@patriotledger.com and Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@patriotledger.com.