By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Nov. 23, 2017) The second annual “Artists Giving Back, a Holiday Meal for those in need,” event returns to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Berlin on Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 2-5 p.m.

Artists Giving Back is a program of the Berlin Arts and Entertainment Committee.

Organizer Robin Tomaselli said the happening sprung from work with Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services, specifically the SABERS and SAGERS programs proving enrichment for adolescents.

“Last year I came up with the idea, because we were working with Worcester Youth and doing healthy cooking classes,” Tomaselli said. “Amanda [Chaffee], who is a counselor there, was telling us the holidays can be really stressful for kids in this area that, for whatever reason, can’t always count on a hot meal at home.”

That’s especially true any time schools are closed, Tomaselli said.

“For some kids, it can create a lot of stress, because that’s where they can count on getting at least breakfast and lunch,” she said. “We were all completely blown away by that because, living in the ‘coolest small town,’ you don’t think about children in our area going hungry.”

Tomaselli said another inspiration was the “pay it forward” theme of Giving Tuesday, a national day of outreach and fundraising for nonprofits.

“We starting thinking about what we could do to actually feed people,” she said. “We figured there were a lot of organizations that were providing a Thanksgiving meal, but why not continue that.”

The inaugural event, also held at St. Paul’s on 405 Flower Street in Berlin, fed more than 100 people and provided food for dozens of additional meals to Diakonia in West Ocean City.

“Everybody just completely jumped on board and were happy to do something for the community,” Tomaselli said. That included culinary artists, fine artists, and area merchants.

Children involved in Worcester Youth programs helped serve food, and most of the cooking was done onsite by volunteers at the church. Additionally, Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing helped deliver food to people who could not leave their homes.

“Everybody thought it was an incredible experience and a perfect example of people coming together for nothing other than a common good,” Tomaselli said. “I think it’s good for kids to see that. The kids from the SABERS and SAGES program who kind of sparked the idea for us have talked about it nonstop since, about how they want to do that again. They want to participate.”

This year, farmers and restaurant owners throughout Berlin and the greater Worcester County area are donating food. Merchants are donating money to pay for paper plates and other supplies, and Chef Phil Cropper from Worcester Technical High School is once again involved.

St. Paul’s will donate the space and organize the cooking, and food will be served at and delivered from the church.

To inquire about donating or volunteering, or to arrange meal delivery, contact Tomaselli at Baked Dessert Café on 4 Bay Street in Berlin or call 410-641-1800.

“They are also certainly welcome to come to St. Paul’s and break bread with us there,” Tomaselli added. “They can also pick up a carryout meal, one per person. And anyone that’s willing to either set up or serve or break down and clean up is also welcome to call me so we can coordinate all of that.”