10 Feb Gather Round the Table Served Holiday Cheer!
As Gather Round the Table enters its second year providing meals for seniors and those in need, the Pawling community has not only stepped in to generously provide financial support to this worthwhile organization, but has offered the many helping hands that have made this not-for-profit soar.
During the 2025 holiday season, GRT provided 250 meals available for dining in, pick- up or delivery at the Lathrop Center in Lakeside Park. Under the leadership of GRT founder and board chair Deb Muroski, 145 volunteers have, throughout this inaugural year, made serving the community through GRT a truly communal endeavor.
The menu for this past year’s Thanksgiving event on November 23rd , which was prepared for GRT by the Knights of Columbus Council 545 and Boy Scout Troop 3034, included traditional fare of turkey with gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and pumpkin pie. The Christmas meal served on December 14th, which was accompanied by the joyous voices of those in attendance singing Christmas carols, included a holiday ham dinner with a cherry pineapple sauce, glazed sweet potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts (courtesy of McKinney & Doyle), rolls, and apple pie. Event volunteers were a diverse group of Pawlingites, which included some Mckinney & Doyle staff, teachers and students from Trinity Pawling School, and teachers from the Pawling Central School District, along with several community members. Although snow fell during the morning hours on the Christmas meal event day, it did not put a damper on this festive gathering nor did it discourage in-person diners.
Ms. Muroski shared, “I am humbled by the generosity, support, and encouragement from local organizations, businesses, and community members. I wish to thank everyone for standing with us, and for your belief in our mission to spread kindness, show compassion, give back, and brighten the lives of those around us. They say it takes a village…I say it takes a community!”
For information about GRT, future events, and how to register or volunteer, log onto the GRT website at gatherroundthetable.org.
During the 2025 holiday season, GRT provided 250 meals available for dining in, pick- up or delivery at the Lathrop Center in Lakeside Park. Under the leadership of GRT founder and board chair Deb Muroski, 145 volunteers have, throughout this inaugural year, made serving the community through GRT a truly communal endeavor.
The menu for this past year’s Thanksgiving event on November 23rd , which was prepared for GRT by the Knights of Columbus Council 545 and Boy Scout Troop 3034, included traditional fare of turkey with gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and pumpkin pie. The Christmas meal served on December 14th, which was accompanied by the joyous voices of those in attendance singing Christmas carols, included a holiday ham dinner with a cherry pineapple sauce, glazed sweet potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts (courtesy of McKinney & Doyle), rolls, and apple pie. Event volunteers were a diverse group of Pawlingites, which included some Mckinney & Doyle staff, teachers and students from Trinity Pawling School, and teachers from the Pawling Central School District, along with several community members. Although snow fell during the morning hours on the Christmas meal event day, it did not put a damper on this festive gathering nor did it discourage in-person diners.
Ms. Muroski shared, “I am humbled by the generosity, support, and encouragement from local organizations, businesses, and community members. I wish to thank everyone for standing with us, and for your belief in our mission to spread kindness, show compassion, give back, and brighten the lives of those around us. They say it takes a village…I say it takes a community!”
For information about GRT, future events, and how to register or volunteer, log onto the GRT website at gatherroundthetable.org.
–by Susan Stone