Ashland’s Thanksgiving Meal and Holiday Program
Each Fall at the Community Center, Prevention & Human Services, Recreation, and Senior Center staff team up with volunteers and community partners to host the annual Thanksgiving Meal and Holiday Program.
Ashland’s Thanksgiving Meal program provides families connected with the Food Pantry or Human Services with a complete Thanksgiving meal of turkey, vegetables, other side dishes, and a dessert.
This program would not be successful without the helping hands of many community partners.
The Ashland Emergency Fund purchases the groceries from a local grocery store, and student groups and other local organizations hold food drives for supplementary items.
On the day of the Thanksgiving Meal program, the Department of Public Works team picks up the donated turkeys and brings them to the Community Center where staff, Select Board members, and community volunteers come together to help distribute the meals.
After Thanksgiving, we roll right into December which kicks off the Holiday Program. The Holiday Program is an opportunity for Ashland families to experience the magic of the holidays and for donors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families.
Beginning in September, the Community Center team gathers information from families who wish to participate in the program and businesses, churches, residents, and charities are invited to sponsor a child or number of children. Holiday Program participants remain anonymous to the donors who are provided with a wish-list to assist with purchasing gifts for the child they are sponsoring.
Individuals who would like to support the Holiday Program, but do not wish to sponsor a child, are encouraged to donate gift cards and/or ‘filler gifts.’ These donations are helpful and necessary to help make the Holiday Program a success by ensuring that every participating child receives gifts.
In December, the Community Center closes for one designated day where staff members and volunteers distribute all of the generously donated gifts to the families and help make the holiday magical for so many.
If you are interested in sponsoring a child or donating gifts to the Holiday Program; please contact the Human Services department at 508-532-7942 or 508-532-7946
Any resident needing assistance with food is encouraged to contact the Food Pantry at 508-532-7949.
Ashland’s Thanksgiving Meal program provides families connected with the Food Pantry or Human Services with a complete Thanksgiving meal of turkey, vegetables, other side dishes, and a dessert.
This program would not be successful without the helping hands of many community partners.
The Ashland Emergency Fund purchases the groceries from a local grocery store, and student groups and other local organizations hold food drives for supplementary items.
On the day of the Thanksgiving Meal program, the Department of Public Works team picks up the donated turkeys and brings them to the Community Center where staff, Select Board members, and community volunteers come together to help distribute the meals.
After Thanksgiving, we roll right into December which kicks off the Holiday Program. The Holiday Program is an opportunity for Ashland families to experience the magic of the holidays and for donors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families.
Beginning in September, the Community Center team gathers information from families who wish to participate in the program and businesses, churches, residents, and charities are invited to sponsor a child or number of children. Holiday Program participants remain anonymous to the donors who are provided with a wish-list to assist with purchasing gifts for the child they are sponsoring.
Individuals who would like to support the Holiday Program, but do not wish to sponsor a child, are encouraged to donate gift cards and/or ‘filler gifts.’ These donations are helpful and necessary to help make the Holiday Program a success by ensuring that every participating child receives gifts.
In December, the Community Center closes for one designated day where staff members and volunteers distribute all of the generously donated gifts to the families and help make the holiday magical for so many.
If you are interested in sponsoring a child or donating gifts to the Holiday Program; please contact the Human Services department at 508-532-7942 or 508-532-7946
Any resident needing assistance with food is encouraged to contact the Food Pantry at 508-532-7949.
