Troops Bring Taste of Home to Community With Thanksgiving Deliveries

 Dec. 1, 2020 | BY LAURA KREIDER

As per tradition, Thanksgiving is a holiday spent with family and friends. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these traditions were adjusted to adhere to mitigation measures and safety protocols.

Even though social distancing was necessary, that didn't prevent people who were in quarantine from receiving a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

"Several agencies on the installation [Caserma Ederle], with the help of community volunteers, are coming together to prepare the to-go meals," Army Col. Daniel Vogel, U.S. Army Garrison Italy commander, said two days before Thanksgiving during the biweekly virtual town hall.

The volunteers helped prepare and serve approximately 200 patrons during the Thanksgiving celebration, including the single and unaccompanied soldiers on Caserma Ederle, and families who were in the hotel while searching for their new home or preparing to leave for their next assignment.

"For our families who are in quarantine at Villaggio, our amazing BOSS [Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers] program will deliver a Thanksgiving meal. We want to ensure that no one goes without a traditional Thanksgiving meal," he added.
 
The BOSS program volunteers delivered approximately 20 Thanksgiving to-go meals to soldiers and families quarantined in Villaggio Army Family Housing, Nov. 26, 2020.

The meals included freshly prepared turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, rolls, and, of course, pie.

"I would like to thank all the organizations that have stepped up to lend a hand and bring a taste of home to our community," Vogel said.

 
The agencies involved in preparing these to-go meals and other safe dining possibilities for the Vicenza military community included the Commander's Readiness and Resiliency Council, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, USO, Religious Support Office and the Vicenza Community Club.
 
"Providing the community with a taste of home and feeling of appreciation is extremely important during this time of year," Samantha Storch, USO Vicenza manager, said. "As we all know, COVID-19 has created many challenges for everyone in the Vicenza military community this year. Service members and families are unable to travel home for the holidays, and there are limitations on gathering with friends. So, many will be spending the holiday alone, and this can lead to a feeling of isolation.".

Storch explained that the USO worked to bring everyone an opportunity to enjoy a home-cooked meal, see the welcoming staff and volunteers, and also receive a deep appreciation for the sacrifices they make by serving in the Army. 

"We hope this will brighten the Thanksgiving holiday for those here in our community," Storch said.

Preparation for this event began about two months prior.

"We started planning meetings at the beginning of October and continued throughout the month and into November. We planned for the estimated number of service members and families, then created a list of food items and containers we would need for the event. Next, came requests for volunteers to support in order to execute preparation the day before and on the day of Thanksgiving. With the families in quarantine, we worked with other organizations to coordinate delivery of the meals," Storch added.

BOSS is not new to community service, which is one of the three pillars of their program.
 
"I believe that it is important to keep our community connected especially during the pandemic, and hopefully this will make those families feel like they belong to our community," Army Sgt. Joseph Nuttall, BOSS advisor, said while on his way to Villaggio with his group of volunteers.
 
One of the recipients who received a meal from BOSS was Army Spc. Eric Day, who recently arrived in Vicenza.

"I didn't know this was happening," Day said. "It was a very nice surprise."

(Laura Kreider is assigned to U.S. Army Garrison Italy)