FILE PHOTO
Volunteers, local business owners and members of the Berlin Arts and Entertainment Committee join together to feed more than 200 people during the second annual Artists Giving Back event, last November at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Berlin.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Nov. 15, 2018) A local nonprofit group is looking for some last-minute help with the annual “Artists Giving Back” event that has provided hundreds of hot meals for local people in need.

The event is hosted on Giving Tuesday each year by the Berlin Arts and Entertainment Committee. This year, that falls on Nov. 27.

Committee members are seeking volunteers and donations, with the deadline for volunteers on Nov. 20.

“We do need monetary donations because, so far, no one has really stepped up to provide the protein part of the dinner,” organizer Robin Tomaselli said.

Tomaselli, the owner of Baked Dessert Café in Berlin, said there’s a tip jar in the store she plans to use for the event.

“But, it would be nice if there were people out there that don’t have the time physically to be there [to volunteer] and they don’t own a restaurant in Berlin, then they could certainly just give a monetary donation to Berlin Arts and Entertainment. And then all of that money would be used for that meal,” she said.

Artists Giving Back began in 2016, after committee members became involved with youth groups overseen by Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services.

“Their counselor happened to mention to us that the kids get really stressed out during the holidays, because a lot of them rely on the school as their breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Tomaselli said. “Any time there’s any extended time off school, it stresses them out because they’re not sure where that next meal is going to come from.

“That just shocked us,” she continued. “You feel so insulated in your little town, like everything is just chugging along well for everyone, but the truth is there are lots of kids in this county that are homeless. And I don’t think a lot of people realize that.”

Tomaselli said many local nonprofits pitch in during December. Artists Giving Back was a way for committee members, with help from many local culinary artists, to do their part.

“We were lucky enough to contact Patrick Henry, who is a member at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, and that church embraced the entire concept,” she said. “They not only allow us to use the [banquet] hall, but their men’s ministry also helps us actually prepare the meal.”

Free meals are provided to anyone who comes and additional food is delivered to those who are homebound, with assistance from Police Chief Arnold Downing.

“One of the greatest gifts our community has happens to be our police chief, because every year that we’ve done, he’s been right by our side, and every year he knows every person in our community that are shut-ins and would not be able to make it to get a meal,” Tomaselli said.

“He drives around and shows us exactly where to deliver, and it’s shocking when you drive with him that he not only knows everybody, but they look forward to seeing him. As soon as he knocks on the door, for some of these people that are older and live alone, it just makes their entire day. You see it in their faces,” she added.

Downing said the feeling was mutual and he would be a part of Artists Giving Back for as long as the event runs.

“It’s just one of those things where I get blessed just as much as they do,” Downing said. “It’s definitely rewarding.

“I have an opportunity to deal with the church on a regular basis when we have barbecues and different things, and it’s just a blessing to go ahead and give from our bounty,” he continued. “As a church and as a community, we have a lot to offer and we have to understand where that came from. To think that we have the opportunity to show God’s light in giving, whatever that is – whether that’s a meal or just that time and interaction with that person – then they go ahead and see God’s light in that time.”

Spreading kindness, Tomaselli agreed, is something everyone could do more of.

“Particularly in the climate that we live in right now, in this world where you feel like everybody is so divided, it is just a beautiful reminder that we have way more in common than not,” she said. “And it’s super important for all of us to be good stewards of our community.

“To me and, I think, the other members of the Arts and Entertainment Committee, this is one of the best events that we’ve done,” Tomaselli continued. “As long as we remain a committee and we have the wherewithal, we’ll continue to do this on Giving Tuesdays each year.”

To donate, volunteer, or request that a meal be delivered, call Tomaselli at 410-641-1800.

To donate online, visit www.artsinberlin.org and click on the “DONATE” button in the lower left-hand corner, or use the direct link: https://secure.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=59414c168419c2b8a7ecf0c1.