Friends of the Poor will continue its community-based programs and collaborations to help those in need this Thanksgiving: the Interfaith Prayer Service, a University of Scranton Center for Service and Social Justice (CSSJ) food basket distribution, the Thanksgiving Dinner for Adults and Elderly, and the Family-to-Family Thanksgiving Food Basket Program. Across all three food-based events, over 17,000 individuals in our area will be served.. 

Forty-eight years ago, the Friends of the Poor foundress, Sr. Adrian Barrett, IHM, returned to her hometown of Scranton after years of ministry in other states. Remembering the lessons her father taught her as a child, and her unwavering commitment to those in need as a Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Sr. Adrian began walking the streets of Scranton and processing the severity of poverty some experienced right here in her own hometown. 

Her first ministry, then, predating the actual founding of Friends of the Poor by 10 years, was the Thanksgiving Community Program. She began that year hosting an annual dinner of delicious food and even better company, serving 24 individuals. Over the almost five decades since, we have grown to serve 4,000 meals for that same dinner, as well as incorporating several other significant events over the week leading up to the holiday of gratitude. 

The holiday celebrations kick off on Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m. with the Interfaith Prayer Service at Temple Hesed.  All are invited and welcome to attend. 

On Sunday, November 24, University of Scranton students will take a peek into the inner workings of the Family to Family program as Friends of the Poor join the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice to provide Thanksgiving groceries to 150 families in the Hilltop and Valley View Housing Developments within the Scranton Housing Authority. 

The Thanksgiving Dinner for Adults and Elderly on Tuesday, November 26, will be distributed for the fifth year in a row take-out style from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. (or while supplies last) in front of the Scranton Cultural Center. Anyone in need of a cooked Thanksgiving meal can drive-through or walk-up for a meal. No pre-registration or proof of income is required. Note that the 400 & 500 of N. Washington Avenue and Vine Street closed for traffic control. We ask that no one begin lining up earlier than 2 p.m., as we will be delivering approximately 1,500 meals to pre-registered, low-income seniors with the continued help of our dedicated volunteer drivers from the Junior League of Scranton and the community-at-large. The remaining 2,500 will be distributed from the front of the Scranton Cultural Center.

The Family-to-Family Thanksgiving Food Basket Program, directed by the Robeson family for the 10th year, will pick up where the dinner leaves off the next morning on November 27, beginning at 9 a.m. We will provide 4,000 baskets with all grocery items needed to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal to families in need in front of the Scranton Cultural Center. We will be there until 4 p.m. or our supplies run out. This event will also be a drive-through, but we will have a dedicated tent with supplies and volunteers for those that need to walk up. 

No pre-registration or proof of income is required. Understanding that transportation is a barrier, we ask that those with access to their own vehicles serve as proxies for those who cannot get to the event. Note that this year, we are asking for anyone picking up for more than four families to call us ahead of time to schedule pickup at (570) 466-3806.

While our budgets cover less and less each year, this is especially poignant to the families Friends of the Poor serves year-round. We are seeing a 30% increase in the number of families we are serving across our daily programming, and for the last several years, our Family to Family Program and our dinners for adults and elderly have run out of food well before our designated end time. 

We are increasing the numbers we are preparing for in 2024; however, that comes with a cost. We work diligently with our suppliers and donors beginning in the early months of summer to ensure we get the best deals. Still, the Thanksgiving Community Program this year will cost around $250,000. 

We are asking the community for a $40 donation to subsidize our cost of Thanksgiving baskets for a family of four. Donations of any amount help us towards our goal, and can be mailed to Family to Family, PO Box 13, Scranton, PA 18503 or given online at friendsofthepoorscranton.com. 

Finally, for the first time in quite a while we are turning to local businesses and community groups to actively solicit Thanksgiving sponsorships to cover all remaining costs. We have several sponsorship levels with varying benefits, but we again stress that any donation, from $1 on up, helps make sure our friends, neighbors, and our children’s classmates do not go hungry on the holiday.

If you have any questions about supporting the annual Thanksgiving Community Program, contact the  development office at (570) 892-8038 or development@fotp-ihm.org.