Catholic Charities Worcester County is seeking volunteers eager to lend a helping hand in delivering holiday cheer through Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. For more than five decades, the Bishop of Worcester has been a gracious host, collaborating with Catholic Charities Worcester County to ensure that housebound elders, individuals with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, and those who might otherwise be alone during the holiday season receive a hearty meal and companionship. Both sit-down dinners at St. Paul Cathedral and home-delivered meals will be available to those in need during these holidays. VIEW SCHEDULE
In 2022, the Bishop’s Holiday Dinner Programs distributed more than 6,500 meals, directly to peoples’ homes and served in a communal setting, with the help of more than 1,300 volunteers.
“As the need for meal assistance grows, we kindly request volunteers to assist us with distributing these meals,” Catholic Charities said in a press release.
The release also noted some of the financial sponsors that make the program possible: GE Healthcare, the Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation, the Walmart Foundation, Berkshire Bank, The Protector Group Charitable Fund of Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Eastern Bank, Fallon Health, Cornerstone Bank, Reliant Medical Group, Clinton Savings Bank, and UniBank.
Meal delivery volunteers begin arriving at 8 a.m. to receive the meals and delivery route. Meals will be distributed in a drive-through style at the St. Peter Catholic Elementary School gymnasium. The entrance is located at 10 Hammond St., Worcester.
Bishop McManus extends a warm invitation to individuals and families to join him at St. Paul’s Cathedral, lower hall, for a Thanksgiving dinner. The sit-down dinner will take place in the lower hall, 38 High St., Worcester. Those interested in volunteering for the sit-down dinner should arrive between 11:30-11:45 a.m.
Volunteers can register online at ccworc.org/bishops-holiday-dinner or by calling 508-798-0191 x2240. Monetary donations are also being accepted online.
For the convenience of attendees, Catholic Charities provides buses to and from St. Paul’s with pick-up locations at: Lincoln Village, Booth Apartments, Seabury Heights, Green Hill Tower, Belmont Apartments, Green Island NOC, Greenwood Gardens, Canterbury Towers, Elm Park Towers, Pleasant Towers, Murray Avenue Apartments, Marble Apartments, and Webster Square Towers.
– For more information on volunteering or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lauren Morocco, Marketing and Development Coordinator, via email at lmorocco@ccworc.org or visit www.ccworc.org/bishops-holiday-dinner.