Thanksgiving, Shared.

The turkey is waiting to be cooked in the refrigerator. The sweet potatoes, squash and potatoes are already cooked and awaiting someone's creative inspiration - hopefully by tomorrow morning. Two kinds of stuffing are on schedule to be prepared tonight - one for those who like plain, traditional; the other for those of us inclined toward fruit and nuts and citrus. Wild blueberry pie (thank you, Trader Joe's!) cookies, dark chocolate covered bananas will finish off the meal.
In addition to eating - far more than normal - we will enjoy the just out Beaujolais Nouveau, as well as a couple of bottles of Pinot Noir. Why all this eating and drinking?
I suppose there is the historic story of the Pilgrims and the Native Americans and how the latter offered yams and turkey and the former joined them in some kind of assumed treaty. Honestly, that has no bearing on Thanksgiving at our home. Instead, we convene, and sit around a table together in celebration of family: My sister, my husband, our daughter,her partner and our 7 month old grandson, and possibly a few random friends. We give thanks for our health, our good fortune to have food, work, and love.
It's a good time for us all to think about those not so lucky.
GENERATIONS cinemastories is part of New England NACE's initiative, Feeding Our Neighbors. Since the beginning of our work in the event industry, we have wondered what happens to all the uneaten (often untouched!) food at weddings and other lavish events.
Over the years we have asked caterers and venues about donating food to shelters, and have been told over and over that it can't be done, it's a liability issue. Well, the good news is, it's NOT. The Good Samaritan Food Donation Act, signed into federal law in 1996 under President Bill Clinton, protects all donors from any and all liability regarding donation to non-profits. That includes venues, caterers and clients.
This Thanksgiving, we invite brides, grooms, mitzvah clients, corporate and non-profit clients to ask their caterers and venues to make sure uneaten food is recycled to those who are hungry. With the number of hungry families growing in our city and country it's time for us all to join in the effort to make Feeding Our Neighbors a part of every celebration.