St. Francis House and Mayor Marty Walsh Welcome Hundreds of Poor and Homeless to Thanksgiving Dinner

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BOSTON, November 26, 2015 –St. Francis House hosted its XX Annual Thanksgiving Day luncheon meal with support from Boston Bruins Matt Beleskey and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. More than 350 of Boston’s poor and homeless guests enjoyed their meals “restaurant style” with the assistance of more than 45 volunteers.

Boston Bruins Left Wing Matt Beleskey continued the Bruins Annual Thanksgiving Pie Delivery, visiting to deliver over 50 donated Mike’s Pastry pies for the Thanksgiving meal, and assisted in pre-slicing several pies.

Mayor Marty Walsh visited St. Francis House, met with guests and volunteers and assisted in carving turkeys. The Mayor’s annual visit has long been a special highlight for St Francis House guests.

“Thanks to local organizations like St. Francis House, many residents of Boston will receive a Thanksgiving dinner surrounded by family and members of the community,” said Mayor Walsh. “When we work together to spread goodwill and service throughout our city, we are making a difference in the lives of others. I thank all the staff members, participants and volunteers at St. Francis House for going above and beyond to lend a helping hand to those in need and ensure that every person in Boston has a happy Thanksgiving.”

“I volunteer because it’s the way I was raised. My parents volunteered a lot and I guess it rubbed off on me. Plus I am blessed with having time in my life to help others in need.” said volunteer Chris Hobein of East Boston. “Most of my immediate family lives halfway across the country and I work every day this week except Thanksgiving. I couldn’t get home to see family so this is a great way to spend Thanksgiving. My family knows that volunteering is an important part of my life so they love to hear that I’ll be at St. Francis House on Thanksgiving.”

To feed Thanksgiving dinner to so many of our city’s citizens, it takes:

* 48 turkeys (750 lbs.)
* 150 lbs of mashed potatoes
* 120 lbs of vegetables
* 130 lbs of stuffing
* 750 rolls
* 50 gallons of apple cider
* 75 pies

About St. Francis House
Located in the heart of downtown Boston, St. Francis House is the largest day shelter in the Commonwealth, serving more than 600 poor and homeless men and women a day, 365 days a year. St Francis House provides basic, rehabilitative and housing services that overlap and build on one another to provide guests with continuous and comprehensive care.

Source: St. Francis House