From The Republican: Kitchen’s fare said ‘fantastic’

WESTFIELD – Robert Cyran enjoys being at Our Community Table – also known as the Westfield Soup Kitchen – to eat turkey with strangers on the last Thursday of November.

“This is the day when you wanna be thankful for whatever you have; I am thankful for my health, good patience, and peace of mind,” said the Westfield resident who has been going to the 101 Meadow St. facility for “three straight years.”

A traditional Thanksgiving table was set for about 60 diners at the former Hotel Westfield on Thanksgiving Day, said Edward J. Fournier, who coordinates the volunteers and the meal’s preparation.

The menu featured mashed potatoes, stuffing, carrots, turnips, cranberries, pies, rolls, and “six big carved turkeys,” said Fournier.

“Meals have been delicious – just fantastic,” pronounced Cyran.

The group that prepares free meals for needy people six days a week was ready to provide the holiday dinner for anyone who showed up, Fournier said.

“I don’t know yet how many people would come during the day, but we’ve got plenty of food,” he said. “We are going to do seconds and everything else.”

So far, the supply of donated foods has not slowed for Our Community Table.

“We are thankful for the opportunity for the workers at this kitchen, that they have the opportunity to help, because there may have been times when they were ministered, too,” said the Very Rev. Joseph Soltysiak of St. Joseph’s Polish National Catholic Church. “And now they have the opportunity to minister.”

The volunteers included Susan Tremblay, who went to help serve along with her sons, Nathan, 13, and Trey, 15.

The Tremblays volunteer regularly at the soup kitchen, said Nathan.

“I do drinks and serve them,” he said. “I usually come here on Mondays and holidays.”

The decorations for the event were made by Southwick students, said Fournier.

The Samaritan Inn homeless shelter on Free Street served a Thanksgiving Day meal for about 30 people.

“That’s our usual attendance,” said Peter C. Gillis, executive director.

He also noted that the shelter’s contributors have been generous.

“We are struggling just like everybody else, but we are all set with our food supplies,” he said.