BANGOR — In the season of giving, staff from Husson University’s dining services are stepping up to help those in the area.
For those who have a hard time getting out, a nice gesture can go a long way.
“A meal to us isn’t a big deal but to them it is,” said Laurie Homes, the resident services coordinator for the Caleb Group. “It isn’t just the meal, it’s the look on their face knowing we cared enough to do this for them.”
Staff from dining services at Husson University cooked up nearly 100 meals to be delivered to people with disabilities and the elderly.
Some were dropped off at Bradford Commons
“I said sure, I’d love to have a meal. It’d be nice,” said Dave Oakes, a resident at Bradford Commons, who was unsure he’d be able to see his family this holiday. “I mean, I wasn’t sure with this all going on if I was going to get a meal but it’s awful nice.”
Meals were also delivered to those at Kenduskeag Terrace.
Among items included in them were turkey, mashed potatoes, and a choice of dessert.
“There’s been a lot of stress on people to maintain some type of normalcy in their lives and this is a means to be able to provide a gift of thanksgiving during this season and make it extra special for them the most we can,” said Bob Sedgwick, director of dining services at Husson University.
Sedgwick says when they got the call, there was no hesitation for any of those volunteering to give up their holiday.
“This is my Thanksgiving plan. Personally my mom is in a nursing home right now,” Sedgwick said. “We had nursing homes growing up, so this has a special place in my heart for doing this and helping seniors. It’s always been a part of my life.”
Numbers from Good Shepherd Food Bank show seniors in Maine have a higher rate of food insecurity than any other state.
