North Reading Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Tradition Continues

The annual North Reading Senior Citizen Thanksgiving dinner has been a local tradition for decades, and sponsors and organizers are making certain the tradition continues! Although not ready to return to its in-person format this year, the 2021 annual event will be a drive through event on Sunday, November 21 from 1-2:30 p.m. in the parking lot at the Hillview Country Club.

As we navigate these unprecedented times, the normal celebration was not possible in its regular format and style but that’s not stopping the volunteers. Organizers say they had to be creative with planning the event again this year. Our number one priority is to keep our seniors safe. Guests will remain in their cars for the event.

Representative Brad Jones and his wife Linda along with Senator Bruce Tarr, in partnership with Mary Prenney and the staff at the Edith O’Leary Senior Center, have planned something special.

“We really struggled with how to celebrate our senior citizens while continuing the tradition. The festive drive through event was very popular last year. We received many appreciative notes and calls after our modified event thanking us for the gift bag and for keeping the tradition alive,” stated Representative Jones.

“We are so grateful to the local vendors and businesses that partnered with us. We raise all of the money needed for this event and we know that local businesses have had many challenges due to the pandemic,” stated Linda Jones.

Interested senior citizens need to RSVP to reserve a Thanksgiving bag at 978-664-5600. Reservations are required for planning purposes. There is a limit of one bag per senior household and quantities are limited, so be sure to make a reservation. Those who cannot drive can contact the senior center and arrangements will be made to accommodate them.

Annually at the event we ask guests attending the dinner to bring much needed items to help stock the shelves of the North Reading Food Pantry. Those who can are encouraged to bring a few of the most needed items with them and volunteers will be on hand to take the donated items.

Most needed items include:

• Kids juice boxes (100% juice)
• Baked beans
• Instant pudding
• Zip lock bags (all sizes)
• Cake/cookie mixes
• Sugar
• Flour
• Cereal
• Shampoo

At the time, canned vegetables and soups are not needed by the food pantry.

All of the volunteers are looking forward to seeing familiar faces at the event on November 21!