(Telegraph file photo) U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, left, helps Carol Weeks, Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter's director of communications, events and volunteers, open boxes full of turkeys and other Thanksgiving dinner foods during last year's food distribution event at the Nashua agency. This year's food box pickup days are Monday through Wednesday.

NASHUA – Volunteers and staff at Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter have been busy of late packing boxes with turkeys and all the fixin’s that comprise a hearty Thanksgiving

dinner.

The food-box distribution program, a tradition that has evolved over the years since the Soup Kitchen was located on Chestnut Street, got underway last Thursday and Friday, and resumes this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at NSKS’ 2 Quincy St. location, which is on the corner of Quincy and East Pearl streets.

Come Thanksgiving Day itself, NSKS will be serving Thanksgiving dinner from 4-6 p.m., its regular dinner hours. The dinner is open to anyone who wishes to stop by and take part in the traditional holiday fare.

This Tuesday, the middle of the three remaining food box pickup days, U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, Democrat of New Hampshire is scheduled to stop by to help out and chat with staff, volunteers and visitors who come by to pick up boxes.

Hassan’s visits began in the Soup Kitchen’s Chestnut Street days, and have continued each year – except for 2020, the year of the pandemic – at both Chestnut Street and its current location, the former home of Nashua Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 483 on Quincy Street.

In 2021, although the remnants of the COVID-19 pandemic were hanging on in many communities despite the shrinking numbers of cases, food box pickup day resumed – with a visit from Hassan.

“It’s so nice to be able to see people in person again,” Hassan said last year in between chatting with volunteers and clients while manning her post atop the Quincy Street building’s loading dock.

“We’re still doing masks and social distancing when possible … people still need food on the table,” Hassan said. “And the Nashua soup kitchen does a terrific job of that, not just at Thanksgiving but all year around.”

Carol Weeks, the agency’s director of communications, events and volunteers, noted that Hassan was governor when she paid her first visit to the soup kitchen’s pickup day.

“She came as governor, and continued as senator,” Weeks said.

As for picking up food boxes, it is first come, first served, and no signup is needed.

The Nashua Soup Kitchen & Shelter, which is open every day of the year, depends heavily on its volunteers to keep its programs running and serve the growing number of clients.

It is also grateful for any and all donations, be it monetary or otherwise.

To volunteer or donate, and additional information on the agency’s history and current projects, go to www.nsks.org and click on the desired link.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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