Kindsgiving a success thanks to community support

Thanks to the generosity of the members of our community, the first-ever Kindsgiving in Fanwood and Scotch Plains is a success. Over $6,500 in donations was raised to provide Thanksgiving meals to those who may be alone for the holiday, with the remainder being donated to local food banks to fight hunger in our community.

“This event has been a reminder of how good strong communities can be when we put aside our differences and all come together for the common good,” said Talib Morgan, executive director of The Beacon Initiative. “With Kindsgiving, there was no progressive or conservative, black or white, old or young. The community gave of themselves - financially or through volunteering - to help contribute to the well-being of their neighbors. This is our community at its best and I feel immense gratitude to all who participated.”

The Kindsgiving coalition member organizations - The Beacon Initiative, Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA, Rotary Club of Fanwood-Scotch Plains and Darby Road – met with volunteers on Wednesday, November 25, for a socially distanced meal distribution for close to 75 community residents. The goal of the event was to brighten the holiday and provide hot meals to those unable to see their loved ones, especially seniors and those who are immunocompromised.

“When we first discussed Kindsgiving, we agreed that if we could provide 30 meals, the event would be a success. To provide more than double that our first year is amazing, and then to have excess donations to give to local food banks is even more amazing,” said Kim Decker, chief executive officer of the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA. “The outpouring of support from the community has been incredible – from donations to the number of people who volunteered to distribute meals – it really shows that our neighbors come together to help one another.”

The Kindsgiving coalition worked with a variety of community organizations to identify those in need of meals for Thanksgiving. In addition to providing hot meals, Kindsgiving features an hour-long ZOOM celebration on Thanksgiving Day at 1:00pm that any member of the community is welcome to attend. More information on Kindsgiving, including how to access the ZOOM celebration, can be found at www.Kindsgiving.com.

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The goal of the first-ever Kindsgiving is to unite our community for the good of the individuals who live here. When we work together and help one another, we make Scotch Plains and Fanwood better for all who call our towns home. Our coalition is made up of local organizations and businesses who keep kindness, compassion and unity at the forefront of all that we do. Happy Thanksgiving to all our neighbors and friends!