GREENWOOD — Nov. 26 will see the return of Turkey Tuesday – a local event that is being run by the Bethel Food Pantry. This year, the event will take place at Mt Abram. This will be the first time it has been held in person since the COVID pandemic.

According to Dave Bean, the food pantry’s executive director, the last time this event was held was back in 2018. The event at that time was run by Heather and David Nivus who have since handed management of the event over to the food pantry.

The event itself is a collaboration between local businesses to bring food to anyone who feels like attending. “It started as a meal for all the restaurant workers who had to work on Thanksgiving,” said Bean. “But anybody is welcome.” Entry is by donation, either in money or in specific items that are needed for the food pantry. “It’s not just ‘whatever you find in your kitchen cabinets’,” Bean explained.

A donation to BADE&FP is suggested.

● Use our QR code posted on each table

● Give cash/check

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● Donate specific items from list below:

Personal Hygiene

Baking Goods

Progresso Soup

Paper Towels

Soap (all types)

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Toilet Paper

Cereal

Snacks

Turkey Tuesday has always been a community event, though this year Bean says the plan is to have it “A little more focused on information and donation to our nonprofit.” He hopes to have information about the Food Pantry at the event itself, as well as the aforementioned specificity when it comes  to accepted donations.

Another new implementation this year will be the inclusion of a cash bar as opposed to the past practice of bring your own beverage. A percentage of money earned there will go directly to the Bethel Food Pantry.

Multiple groups have come together to make this possible. Gould will be lending its kitchen for the cooking of the food, headed by volunteer Catherine Brown. Sunday River will donate the turkeys for the event, and of course, Mount Abram will host the meal.

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“It’s really a community event,” said Bean. He also hopes to have photos of previous Turkey Tuesdays. “This has been going on for around 30 years,” he said. He looks forwards to the event’s return. “I’ve always felt like I could run into people I need to talk to and haven’t talked to in a while.”

Work at the event itself will be handled by volunteers, and the Food Pantry is already looking for people who are willing to help them run this event.

Volunteer Teams needed:

Kitchen Team (Must have experience in a professional kitchen) 11/24-11/26

Set Up (Must be able to lift 50 lbs.) 11/24, late afternoon

Dining Room Prep Team 11/26, 4 p.m. (Must be detail oriented)

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Transportation Team 11/26, 5 p.m.

Clean Mt. Abram Team 11/26, 7:30-9 p.m. (Must be detail oriented)

Dish Crew at Gould Academy 11/26, 8-9 p.m. (Professional dish room experience)

Return Tables and Chairs to Gould 11/26, 8-9 p.m. (Must be able to lift 25 lbs.)

For more information, contact Dave Bean at ExecutiveDirector@bethelareafoodpantry.org or 207-890-4022.

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