RACHEL RAVINA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Volunteers prepare to-go packages during the Berlin Arts and Entertainment Committee’s Meal for the Hungry, last Tuesday at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Flower Street. More than 200 meals were served during the fourth annual event.

By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer

(Dec. 12, 2019) More than 200 people were fed last Tuesday during the fourth annual Meal for the Hungry at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

“From the standpoint of community outreach, it’s a win-win for everyone,” said Robin Tomaselli, vice president of Berlin’s Arts and Entertainment committee.

“The people that are served are served well and incredibly appreciative,” she continued. “The volunteers that come to help serve all leave feeling exceptionally grateful and kind of rewarded for doing something good and making that connection in the community.”

Last week’s meal had several offerings including turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, and iced tea, she said.

Tomaselli emphasized the importance of the chefs, restaurants and organizations who made last week’s dinner possible.

Prepared dishes came from the Atlantic Hotel, Blacksmith, Fin’s Ale House, Chef Phil Cropper and Worcester Technical High School culinary students, according to Tomaselli. She also expressed her gratitude to the church’s men’s ministry. The Church Mouse Thrift Shop and Atlantic Retreat donated additional proceeds to cover some of the food costs.

“So it’s our way to kind of highlight the culinary arts in our community, along with being good stewards of the people that live close to us that could benefit from a hot meal and some fellowship,” she said.

Among the 25 to 30 volunteers who helped to provide a hot meal to members of the community were student representatives from Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services. Tomaselli said idea for the event was to make sure that children had a good meal during the holiday season.

“We became aware of the fact that there are children, particularly in our immediate area, that can become super stressed out prior to the holiday because some of them only can count on their meals coming from school,” she said. “And so that completely like took us all back a little bit, and we just felt that there was something we needed to do about that.”

The event is open to the public. She said the event always falls on Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, at the church on Flower Street.

Tomaselli praised the efforts of Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing, who, along with other volunteers helped deliver meals to area residents who were unable to leave their homes.

“We’re blessed with a police chief that happens to know practically every single person in the community who is shut in and in need of a meal delivery. So he has a couple of volunteers, and he goes out on his route … people just love to see him as well, so he’s a gift,” Tomaselli said.

In addition, the leftovers from the meal were donated to Stevenson United Methodist Church’s Spirit Kitchen last Wednesday, Tomaselli said.