SUNDERLAND — The South County Senior Center and Sunderland Men’s Club are joining forces for the fourth year of delivering Christmas meals to older adults in Deerfield, Sunderland and Whately, continuing a holiday tradition of volunteers giving back.
“It’s a great intergenerational project,” said South County Senior Center Director Jennifer Ferrara. “So many want to do something this time of year to show their appreciation and to give back to the community, and this is a great way to do that.”
When volunteers drop off the meals, the food ensures seniors eat a full meal on the holiday and the conversation helps fight social isolation, Ferrara said.
“They get a really great meal, but there’s a thought also that there are people out there that care, and that’s what it’s all about,” said Tom Fydenkevez, a member of the Sunderland Men’s Club.
A couple days before Christmas, about 15 members of the Sunderland Men’s Club start preparing turkey, mashed potatoes, squash, dressing, cranberry sauce and gravy in the kitchen of the First Congregational Church. Locals donate desserts like cookies to finish the meal on a sweet note, and volunteers deliver the meals to seniors’ doors in Sunderland, Whately and Deerfield.
“It’s a complete turkey dinner,” Fydenkevez said.
Seniors also receive holiday cards from Sunderland Elementary School students.
According to Fydenkevez, the tradition started in 2022 when he, then a Selectboard member serving on the South County Senior Center Board of Oversight, heard Ferrara mention that the center would not be able to offer meals on the holiday. Seeking a solution, he asked the Sunderland Men’s Club’s board of directors about filling the gap.
“Everybody came back and it was unanimous: ‘Yeah, let’s do it!'” Fydenevez recalled.
He mentioned the idea to Ferrara because “she has a finger on the pulse of the community,” and the collaboration began. According to Ferrara, the tradition started with 65 meals in 2022. Last year, about 30 volunteers delivered 110 meals.
“Once it starts, it takes on a life of its own,” Fydenkevez said. “If you happen to come on Christmas morning, you’re going to see 50 of the happiest, smiliest faces.”
To register to deliver meals, call Ferrara at 413-665-2141 by Tuesday, Dec. 23. The Senior Center will also accept monetary donations in the form of checks with “holiday meal” in the memo line. Checks can be sent to P.O. Box 225 in Sunderland.
As for meals after the holidays, Ferrara noted the Senior Center continues to offer meal programs and can process Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications as a partner with the Department of Transitional Assistance when people schedule appointments.
Additionally, the center has a food pantry on site for those in need, and people can come in during the center’s open hours or make an appointment, if needed. On the second Wednesday of every month, the Senior Center also hosts a food distribution in partnership with the Franklin Area Survival Center at the First Congregational Church.