Hamilton’s Good Shepherd preps for 600 free Thanksgiving meals

After months of preparation Hamilton’s Good Shepherd is set to host a very large Thanksgiving dinner Monday afternoon.

The Catholic charitable organization will dish out 600 free meals from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at its location at 135 Mary St.

Preparations started weeks before today.

Volunteers have been busy making shopping lists and requests for donation items, and Good Shepherd drivers have crisscrossed the city in refrigerated vans to pick up the food. Kitchen staff have been chopping and prepping for the meals all week.

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An estimated 80 turkeys will be cooked and the spread includes mashed potatoes, stuffing, carrots, green beans and cranberries. Dessert is pecan pie and fresh fruit.

According to the Good Shepherd the demand for food is growing and many working people can’t keep up with the cost of living. It’s even harder for people with disabilities and seniors struggling to get by on fixed incomes, organizers say.

Inspired by the Hospitality of St. John of God and rooted in Catholic teachings, Good Shepherd provides “person-centred health, housing and human services in the Greater Hamilton and Toronto areas to all people in need.”

Thanksgiving donations can be made via the Good Shepherd website.