NASHUA, NH – For the 22nd year, Harbor Care hosted its annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner at the Harbor Care Health & Wellness Center in downtown Nashua. They welcomed nearly 300 individuals and families for a traditional turkey dinner and community fellowship. Harbor Care is a human services nonprofit organization that provides housing, healthcare, and veteran services to New Hampshire residents facing challenges.
New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Senator Maggie Hassan, Congressman Chris Pappas, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess, and other officials served the guests.
“It’s a team effort, a community effort, and we have wonderful support from our community volunteers. The Common Man has donated the meal for the third year in a row, and we have many elected officials working the serving line,” Henry Och, President and CEO of Harbor Care, said.
“Food insecurity within the communities that we serve is a real problem, especially now as we approach the holiday season. We set aside this event to create a space for folks to enjoy a meal served by the community,” Och said.
Sean Brown, COO of the Common Man Company, described the company’s philosophy and the reason for donating the food, saying, “We get out in the community, we do good things to help people, and we do well by doing that. It’s really been in our DNA and our culture for the last 54 years to get out and do good things. We’re hoping to serve 350 people a great Thanksgiving dinner that they might not otherwise get. So we’re happy to be able to do that.”
It only required 125 pounds of roasted turkey, 100 pounds of stuffing, and 100 pounds of mashed potatoes, 100 pounds of roasted squash, 75 pounds of green beans, 400 dinner rolls, gallons of gravy and cranberry sauce, 80 pies, and a whole lot of butter, with a team of over 40 volunteers, and a gaggle of elected officials to accomplish the meal.
Litchfield musician Jessica Songbird sang and played her acoustic guitar throughout the event, adding another layer to the experience. In addition to a warm meal, the guests were able to pick up winter clothing items and personal hygiene products. Hundreds of hand-knit hats, scarves, and pairs of mittens donated by local volunteers were given out.
Harbor Care has a big mission, and this community dinner is just a small part of their services. They help more than 5,000 adults, children, and families of New Hampshire each year find solutions to many of life’s most challenging issues. They provide high-quality housing and residential services; medical, dental, and mental healthcare; substance use treatment; HIV/AIDS support services; and veteran services for individuals and families experiencing, or at-risk of, homelessness.
“Nashua is a special place; this is just one dimension of what the community can do when we come together. I see collaboration and community teamwork every day that I come to work. It’s a wonderful place to work,” said Henry Och.
