Grace Center Community Pivots During Power Outage to Serve Friendsgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving is a time for celebration, community, and gratitude. We at Lifebridge are so grateful for the community of clients, staff, volunteers, and donors who are dedicated to ensuring everyone has their most basic needs met as they start their journey toward recovery.

Along this journey are moments of surprise, joy and connection, like our Friendsgiving dinner at the Grace Center in Gloucester this year.

“I received a call from the property owner at 5 am the day before our big community meal to say the alarm company had called,” said Frank Freedman, Grace Center’s program director. He drove to the Grace Center to discover there was no power. “The first thing I did upon arrival was check if the stove pilots were still lit, and they were, so I knew we would be able to cook the turkeys.”

Lighting and heat, however, were another story.

Our amazing Wednesday kitchen crew stepped up without complaint to serve breakfast and cook turkeys in the cold and dark. Dana went home and grabbed a lantern, Cindy served breakfast with her coat on, and Mary Anne scrambled eggs and ran to Dunkin Donuts for coffee. Thanks to their heroics, we were able to keep things on track and get through a tough start to the day.

“The day only improved from there after Nina told me that Zach, the general manager at Minglewood Harborside, offered to host our clients for lunch,” said Frank. Shortly before noon, Dave, Heidi, and Monica walked guests over to the Captain’s Courageous Room at Minglewood where guests were treated to pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad and fruit salad, and soda. Staff and volunteers reported back that it was a resounding success and that Minglewood may be willing to host again in the near future. “After the cold, rocky start to the day, it was nice to hear that people enjoyed dining out,” said Frank.

While folks were at Minglewood, Stephen and Frank were able to troubleshoot Grace Center’s power issues and finish the turkeys that Dana had started.

As this story demonstrates, our mission is more than helping people survive the most difficult times in their lives.

Our community goes above and beyond to restore dignity, belonging, connection, and opportunity. Whether folks are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, or recently housed, Lifebridge is there to support them.

None of our work would be possible without our generous donors. If you feel moved to help us open doors this Thanksgiving, please consider donating here.