November 28, 2019

Chicopee Knights Council 4044 serves its 29th annual Thanksgiving feast

REGIONAL
By Nick Morganelli

CHICOPEE – The Knights of Columbus Council 4044 in Chicopee, with the help of hundreds of volunteers over the course of four days, served their 29th annual thanksgiving dinner from noon to 2 p.m. on the holiday, Thursday, Nov. 28.

Dan Mashia, a trustee and former grand knight said, “Last year was close to 2,500 meals to anybody in western Mass. that calls and says, ‘I’d like a meal delivered.’ We also serve between 900 and 1,000 meals here in the hall.”

The attendees comprise a variety of persons including seniors, struggling families, youth, and those who may be lonely and needing companionship for the holidays. Tables are eloquently set and the room gleams with holiday décor as nearly 150 volunteers greet guests with smiles.

“You sit down and are served a turkey dinner with all the fixings and it’s a great experience, whether you’re volunteering to deliver meals or you’re here working in the kitchen or assembling the meals or serving people,” said Mashia.

“I’ll get here about four in the morning and my wife will arrive later to serve the meal. It’s just a wonderful atmosphere,” said Steve Dubreuil, the current chancellor of the organization. “You’re exhausted by the end of the day. You’re going to go home and probably fall asleep, but it’s just the greatest feeling.”

The four days of volunteer work comprise over 30 hours of preparation for the nearly 4,000 pounds of turkeys, over 1,000 pounds of potatoes, as well as squash, and 100 gallons of gravy. On top of all that, there’s stuffing, peas, cranberry sauce, and rolls.

“People take time off. I take Tuesday and Wednesday, and my son comes from Assumption College and he just loves working with all the people,” said Dubreuil. “Monday we cook the birds, Tuesday is preparing them and making them into individual meals, and Wednesday is a big day with about forty volunteers coming to help prepare the meals that can be delivered out.”

There’s no doubt, this dinner warms the hearts of those enjoying the meal as well as those who work so selflessly to make it a success.

“We just have such a wonderful time,” said Dubreuil. “We work to make it a family experience. For us, we are here for the holiday Thursday and we’ll have dinner here after the guests. In my household, we have our family come on Saturday for our Thanksgiving meal.”

Those in need of a delicious home-cooked Thanksgiving meal can go to the Castle of Knights banquet hall at 1599 Memorial Drive in Chicopee until 2 p.m. The meal is free, the food is hot, and the hearts are full of love.

(Editor’s note- our Catholic Communications colleague Bill Pacocha volunteers at this annual community meal.  He provided us these pictures from today’s Thanksgiving meal.