On Wednesday, August 10th, over 20 Gowrie Group volunteers prepared and served a barbecue lunch to the guests of Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries at the SSKP meal site at Grace Episcopal Church in Old Saybrook. Thirteen additional Gowrie members donated cash and grocery gift cards to purchase meat and other perishables, as well as 25 baked or donated food items to help make this meal happen. The menu included local corn on the cob with melted butter, green garden salad, veggie bowtie pasta salad, BBQ grilled chicken, pulled pork sliders, and dessert options ranging from chocolate covered ice cream bars with a fresh berry medley, whipped cream and mint, to chilled watermelon slices. Over 40 lunch recipients were delighted not only by the delicious food but also the generosity and spirited camaraderie.
Grace Episcopal Church in Old Saybrook has generously hosted the SSKP Wednesday meal site for many years now. Gowrie Group was thrilled to make a financial donation with their remaining funds to aid the church’s restoration campaign to replace their ailing boiler.
“I am always amazed at the level of volunteerism among the Gowrie Group team members involved!” shared Lindas Dillon, Gowrie Group Benefits Team and organizer of the annual luncheon events. “Appreciation also goes to those colleagues who stayed behind to cover their departments and to management for supporting our initiative! We’re so pleased to have had another successful event!”
Looking forward, on November 15, 2016, Gowrie Group will launch their 13th annual matching challenge with a $30,000 donation to SSKP. Thus far, five local companies—The Safety Zone, LC Doane Company, Tower Labs, Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale, and BrandTech Scientific, have stepped up to be partner supporters of this challenge and collectively will donate an additional $23,000 in funds.
Gowrie Group will be challenging the local community of businesses and friends to help them meet and exceed an ambitious goal of raising $125,000 to benefit the SSKP. Last year, Gowrie Group reached a mark of one million dollars raised to benefit SSKP over the 12 year history of the campaign. This equates to 3 million meals in total having been provided to those in need through the Gowrie Group Challenge. Gowrie is proud to launch this year’s 13th annual challenge to benefit such a strong cause.
Photo Caption (left to right): Sara Archer, Lindas Dillon, Scott Gowrie, Gayle Capezzone, Janet Nicklas, Erin Crowley, Mary Diaz, Kate Ennis, Deb Cameron, Cheryl Bouve, Shari Whitney, Linda Smith, Karen Winters, Barb Minges, Chris Castonguay, Nancy Young and Denece Herrera. Missing from the photo, Morgan and Kristi Bagnall, Nancy Sprigg and Beth Hughes.