“When you help, hope will follow.”
This was the message the nonprofit The Open Door emphasized at Thursday’s Autumn Breakfast held in a packed ballroom attended by about 300 people at the Beauport Hotel on Commercial Street.
The annual event serves as a kickoff to the organization’s Holiday Meal Basket program while also honoring volunteers and community partners.
“Food is a foundation for good nutrition and security, pillars that can dramatically change your life. As we approach the holidays, it’s a wonderful time to help set the table for local people who need a little extra help,” President and CEO Julie Lafontaine said. “Your support goes beyond a single meal or grocery order, it provides hope.”
“My journey with The Open Door began many years ago,” said Tracy Davis, chair of The Open Door Board of Directors. “Each of my three boys has had their own profound service experiences at The Open Door, and these moments have given our family a sense of belonging to our greater community and hope, reminding us that even in challenging times, we can make a meaningful difference.”
“Whatever brought you to The Open Door — whether you give your time, talents, or financial support — one thing is clear: “When you help, hope will follow,” Davis said.
The Open Door Holiday Meal Basket program gives people the ingredients they need to prepare a holiday meal at home, from scratch, at no cost. They are available for both Thanksgiving and the December holidays and can be ordered at FOODPANTRY.org.
This year’s honorees at the Autumn Breakfast were:
Helen Muise Community Service Award: Claudette Chmura of Gloucester, Don Marcoux of Gloucester, and Nancy Scanzani of Ipswich.
Charlotte Pope Service Award: Sue King of Rockport.
Unsung Hero Award: Bob Gillis of Gloucester.
Outstanding Community Partner Award: Beauport Financial Services.
This year’s guest speaker was David Olson, The Open Door grants manager and former editor of The Gloucester Daily Times, who shared his experience with food insecurity growing up.
Olson’s parents lost their jobs in the 1970s, and eventually his mother earned a degree (while working two jobs on top of raising children) and became an accountant and office manager. His father found temporary work and later ran a successful butcher shop. Olson said his parents made a point to donate food and help others once they were on their feet again.
“Not everyone has the advantages we had. Not everyone has access to a safety net. But they should,” Olson said. “We are seeing record levels of food insecurity across the country, across the state and in our corner of Essex County. The Open Door is serving more people now than it did at the height of COVID.”