50th Thanksgiving programs planned

Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center (FOTP/CMC) will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its annual Thanksgiving Community Program this November, continuing a half-century tradition of bringing the community together to provide food, fellowship and support to local families in need.

The 50th annual program will be held under the leadership of Sister Judy O’Brien, the agency’s new President and CEO, and will feature three signature events:

The first event will be an Interfaith Prayer Service, in collaboration with the Scranton Area Ministerium, will be held on Friday, November 13, at 7 p.m. with a prayer service at Temple Hesed, 1 Knox Road, Scranton.

The annual Interfaith Prayer Service brings together members of the community representing a variety of faith traditions for an evening of prayer, fellowship and thanksgiving.

The second event is a Thanksgiving community dinner will be provided on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 24, or until supplies last, at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Avenue at Vince Street. There will be a limit of two dinners per vehicle.

The third event will be a Family to Family Thanksgiving Food Basket Distribution held on Wednesday, November 25, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or until supplies last, again at the Scranton Cultural Center.

The Family to Family program will distribute Thanksgiving food baskets containing the ingredients needed for local families to prepare and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal together. Social service agencies may arrange larger pickups by contacting Linda Robeson at [email protected].

“Family to Family has been serving thousands of families during the holiday season for more than 40 years,” said Linda Robeson, Family to Family Food Basket Program Director. “This Thanksgiving, we are hoping to provide approximately 3,500 local families with the ingredients to prepare a meal they can enjoy together. It is a wonderful tradition of neighbors helping neighbors, and we are grateful to everyone who makes it possible. From our families to yours, thank you.”

The 50th anniversary of the Thanksgiving Community Program represents a significant milestone for FOTP/CMC and the many volunteers, donors, faith communities, community organizations and supporters who have helped sustain the tradition over the years.

“Thanksgiving is a time to come together, and for 50 years this program has reflected the generosity and compassion of our community,” said Sister Judy O’Brien, President and CEO of Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center. “We are grateful for everyone who has helped make this tradition possible and look forward to continuing this important work for years to come.”

To learn more about FOTP/CMC’s programs and services, visit fotpcmc.org or call (570) 342-1342.