With Help From Scouts, Seniors, (and You!) Thanksgiving Baskets Will Be Filled

Montville Senior Center vice president Bob Bergdoll swings by the Stop & Shop five mornings a week to pick up day-old bread. It is good bread; the delicious rustic ciabatta from Chibaso on the top of the pile a testament.

“If I don’t do this, they throw it away,” Bergdoll shakes his head in disbelief. “Can you believe it? And people are starving.”  

In a flash a smile sweeps across his face; he’s a happy guy. He wheels the cart full of breads into the Senior Center and points. Across the hallway is a large room lined with tables holding canned foods, boxed foods, jarred foods, bagged foods all destined for 300 to 350 Thanksgiving baskets the seniors at the center will assemble Friday. Three hundred to 350 families in need of the basics for a Thanksgiving dinner: "The need is so great," Peck said. 

It’s impressive. Until one finds out that is

The good news? Lots more donations are expected; from Montville schools and various drives including the awesome Girl Scout Cadet troop 63018, which holds its food drive to benefit the Montville Food Bank today at Tri-Town IGA on Route 32 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

And, the 2nd annual Fill a Brown Bag Drive is under way. People pick up and drop off brown bags at dentists Kurzman and Lacy, 907 Norwich-New London Turnpike (shares lot with Montville Hardware), the IGA/ Best Way,  1226 Old Colchester Road in Oakdale and Montville Pizza, 150 Norwich-New London Turnpike in Uncasville. People can also (860) 823-9763 or (860) 908-5987 for your Brown Bag pick up. Their motto: 'Filling the Montville Food Bank One Item At A Time.'