Schoharie County gives thanks

12/1/2020

By Jim Poole

Schoharie County gives thanks

Kind, generous and caring describe Schoharie County, and those traits were front and center for the Community Thanksgiving dinner last Thursday.
Donations from all quarters made last week’s holiday meal the biggest in its 33 years.
“It was a remarkable outpouring of support,” said Kevin Neary, who chairs the Thanksgiving Day Committee. “We had the most contributions ever.”
The committee appealed for financial donations, and businesses, organizations and individuals responded. Mr. Neary surmised that many donations came from people aware that families have been hit hard by the pandemic.
“It was just Schoharie County generosity,” he said. “People out there are in need, and some are out of work.”
Involved with other charitable causes, Mr. Neary knows of local generosity. But this Thanksgiving was special.
“Schoharie County people. . .you call upon them, and they respond,” Mr. Neary said. “They really do care.”
The pandemic prevented the usual sit-down meal and take-outs, so all meals were home-delivered. Even so, the numbers broke all records.
The committee planned for 325 meals, “and when were done, we provided 590,” Mr. Neary said.
That topped the previous high of about 500 in 2018, he added.
In addition to the many donors, volunteers played a large role. Mary Skinner and helpers at Catered Affairs prepared the meals of turkey and trimmings, the Gray familiy put the meals to gether, J.R. and Patti Parshall coordinated the home deliveries, Colleen Flynn of the County Emergency Services mapped the routes, and the County Office for the Aging took orders.
Many others helped, too.
Fusion Community Church made all the pies.
“And they also cut them and put the pieces in containers,” Mr. Neary said. “It was just amazing.”
Because all meals were home-delivered, the committee needed more volunteer drivers. Mr. Neary said he reached out, and many responded.
All told, there were 20 drivers and 15 additional volunteers, he added.
The pandemic forced extra precautions. All volunteers wore masks, and drivers stayed in their cars while getting loaded with meals.
Even though the meal appeared to be a success, Mr. Neary wants to be sure.
“If someone didn’t get a meal or wasn’t pleased with what they got, we need to know,” he said. “There were 230 stops. Maybe somebody got missed.”
Anyone with input can call Mr. Neary at home, 518-294-6543.
He also plans to meet with Pat Costello of The Joshua Project, Fusion Church reps and others who provide food to needy families “and see if we can work together.”