By Carol Britton Meyer

There’s still time to place a reservation for a Thanksgiving turkey dinner with all the fixings as part of a 10-year cooperative effort between Wellspring Multi-Service Center and Alma Nove’s Paul Wahlberg through the “Alma Cares” program. Both are named after the Wahlberg family matriarch, Alma, and in the case of the restaurant, her nine (nove) children.

“This is a way to ensure that families and individuals have food for Thanksgiving,” Wellspring President & CEO Vinny Harte told The Hull Times. “No one should ever go without.”

The meal boxes will be available for pickup on Turkey Tuesday – two days before Thanksgiving to allow plenty of preparation time – to enjoy during the holiday. Arrangements can be made to have meals delivered for those without transportation.

Call Wellspring Food Services Director Anne Stenfors at 781-925-3211, ext. 122 to reserve a Thanksgiving meal, free of charge.

Starting this Friday, November 22, students enrolled in Wellspring’s entrepreneurial adult education classes through the Sprout Center for Jobs will host “Festive Fridays” for the second year due to last year’s success.

A holiday shop set up in the extension of the thrift shop will offer seasonal decorations, gifts customers can purchase for family and friends, clothing, baked goods, and other items.

“Donations for the shop are already coming in from individuals and organizations in the community,” Harte said.

The holiday shop will be open every Friday through December 20, except for the day after Thanksgiving, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“This will not only be a great opportunity to buy really nice items, all at good prices,” Harte said, “It’s also a chance for our students to take a project from start to finish, while giving them the ability to expand their job skills and real-life experiences.”

Wellspring is also offering a holiday gift program for parents and caregivers of children who can use assistance during these challenging times.

Those interested in participating are encouraged to stop by Wellspring, 814 Nantasket Ave., to fill out an application asking for the ages, gender, sizes, and gifts their children desire for Christmas.

“We’ve been organizing this program for 25 years, meeting the needs of each of the families,” Harte said. Families are matched with donors, who provide gifts from their wish lists.

The gifts are available for pickup closer to the holiday. Those interested in donating to this program are asked to call Stenfors at the above number.

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