Local merchants, volunteers give back for Thanksgiving

SUSSEX COUNTY — Brad and Laurie Boyle from SALT and the Ochard Beer Garden, Andre de Waal from Andre’s Restaurant, Florian Wehrli and Fossil Farms partnered with Salt Cares, the Salt Shakers, SCARC, Family Promise, the Manna House and the Sparta Farmers Market GIFT (Give It Fresh Today) Program to prepare and deliver 581 world-class Thanksgiving meals to those in need in our area on the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
Contributors included Race Farm, the Greek Kitchen, the Silver Birch Kitchen, Emma Lavin, Becky Carlson, Donna Fell , Deb Masterson, Becky Kesselmans, Teresa Sellinger, Sara Morrison, Taryn Peppo, Maria Lange, Matt Putnam, Deb Putnam, the Newton Medical Center, the Opresnick family, Lee Daly, Anne Murphy and Thorlabs.
Laurie Boyle from SALT and the Orchard Beer Garden said, "We were thrilled to partner with other local organizations, corporations and individuals to make this happen. Our community is just outstanding!"
According to Lance Applebaum, CEO of Fossil Farms in Boonton, "At this time of year, we reflect our dedication to our partnered farmers, customers and staff. We are grateful to work with dedicated people who follow our vision to raise our animals naturally and with care. It is with great pride to donate our locally raised cage-free Nicholas Breed Turkeys to families who need assistance in brightening their holidays."
Chris Butto, Executive Director of Family Promise said, "Our staff and the families being blessed by this wonderful food are very grateful and appreciative of all of the time and energy that went into making their holiday celebration possible. A very BIG thank you to everyone involved in making and delivering the Thanksgiving meals. You have touched so many in such a wonderful and positive way."
Becky Carlson, the Executive Director of the Center for Prevention said, "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of our community! It was so rewarding and felt so good to put positive energy and love into cooking a meal that was going to a family in need. Each dish prepared was done so with great care. Being part of a community that cared enough to work as a team to make enough food to feed 581 is amazing. Thank you for the chance to give back, it felt so good to do so!"
"We thoroughly enjoyed planning and creating a special feast for Family Promise members this Thanksgiving. Made our holiday all the more special!" said Bruce Lemler and Teresa Sellinger from ARTwood.
Donna Fell from Sparta Books said, "I am happy to have helped out. As a business owner, my community is so very loyal and shops local as much as possible, I am happy to give back in all ways that I can."
Sara Morrison stated, "The generosity of all those who participated amazes me! It is truly incredible, and I hope it continues; not only around the holidays. I enjoyed cooking and baking, and I’m happy to know it’ll be and was appreciated."
Mitch Morrison from the Sparta Farmers Market and the Tour de Farm NJ said, "This program is just one more example of our pay-it-forward, loving community."