Thanksgiving Giving All Around

These days before Thanksgiving are busy ones for Connie Pifher.  As the Program Coordinator of Verona’s Health and Social Services, it is Pifher who oversees much of how the town takes care of those in need.

“We have more people who need help and fewer people able to give,” said Pifher, echoing a sentiment you hear from most every social service worker.  The town works closely with the Untied Methodist Church, providing them names of individuals to receive cooked meals for Thanksgiving.  Pifher’s office has also been collecting turkeys and other food donations (as well as grocery gift cards) from local organizations, houses of worship and individuals, which are then distributed to families in need. 

“Last Sunday was the annual interfaith sermon which took place at Congregation Beth-Ahm,” said Pifher.  “Rabbi Kriegel put together a dinner at the temple afterwards for the homeless.”

Pifher went on, “Many of the people who need help in Verona and Cedar Grove are ‘hidden’.  They’re not on the streets.  They’re single parents, the working poor, disabled, elderly.  You try to help everyone, but it’s hard to get to everyone.”

One of the programs in place for ongoing assistance is the Verona Children’s Fund, which has been set up to allow kids to do their regular activities and participate in their normal progrms even as their going through a divorce or death in the family, or a long-term unemployment situation.  “[The Verona Children’s Fund] is funded entirely through donations.  That’s always a way people can help,” said Pifher.

“The most important part [of our outreach] is to connect with people in the community.  It’s not just about serving a meal.  It’s about following up with referrals so we can help them along.”

Most of Pifher’s distributions are finished by now.  But she remains on until the last turkey leaves the building.  “I’ll be here late, today,” she said.