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Boys Town Employees at Buy a Bird Packing event

Coming Together to Share a Thanksgiving Meal: Boys Town New England Prepares Holiday Baskets for Local Families


On November 20, the Boys Town New England community gathered at our new Warwick office for one of the most meaningful days of the year, assembling Thanksgiving grocery bags that will help families across Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts enjoy a warm holiday meal.

Boys Town New England staff spent the afternoon preparing 50 grocery bags, to support families served through our In-Home Family Services and Care Coordination programs. Tables were lined with fresh vegetables, eggs, holiday essentials, dessert mixes, and other staples that together create the foundation of a comforting Thanksgiving dinner. Each bag also included a reusable grocery bag and a gift card, allowing families to select a culturally meaningful protein that best fits their traditions.

This effort was made possible thanks to the incredible generosity of Boys Town donors, who helped raise $7,500 to support the cost of the baskets and the groceries inside them. The groceries for the event were delivered by Shaw’s, whose support helped ensure that each family would receive everything needed for a complete holiday meal. Volunteers packed each bag with care, knowing they were preparing more than food, they were helping create a moment of connection and celebration for families who may be facing significant challenges this season.

The assembled bags will be delivered throughout the week by Boys Town New England staff and volunteers, arriving just in time for families to gather around their tables and celebrate the holiday in a way that reflects their own culture, values, and traditions.

This annual effort represents the strength of our community and the impact that’s possible when people come together to support one another. From donors who contributed to the Buy a Bird campaign to the volunteers who packed each bag, this year’s Thanksgiving will be brighter for dozens of families because of their generosity and compassion.