Happy Thanksgiving 2025

Thursday November 27th 
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​"Gratitude is more than what we have—it’s what we share. Food insecurity is closer than you think; it might surprise you who among your friends or neighbors is quietly struggling. This season, let’s keep those with food needs in mind. A simple act of kindness—a shared meal, a helping hand—can change a life. Together, we can make sure no one feels forgotten at the table. 

As we celebrate gratitude, I want to remind us of something often overlooked: food insecurity is closer than we think. It might surprise you who among your friends, neighbors, or colleagues is quietly struggling to put a meal on the table. These challenges often remain unseen, yet they are deeply real.

Through 15 years of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, I’ve witnessed the power of community support. A simple act—a shared meal, a conversation, or a helping hand—can restore hope. Food is more than nourishment; it’s dignity, tradition, and love. Through helping-Brands and AuthenticItalian.org, I’ve seen how food connects us culturally and emotionally.

This season, let’s keep those with food needs in mind.
If you can, reach out.
Share what you have.
Advocate for programs that make access to healthy food possible.
​Gratitude isn’t just about what we have—it’s about what we give.

Adventures of Skel                                                      and his friends
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Skelroid, Chilleton, Skelvis, Skelily, Shelf on a shelf, Fetch, Mini-Skels, Skelmas
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​“Skeletons Aren’t Just for Halloween,
The Skel Crew Celebrates Every Season, Every Reason!” 

​The first Thanksgiving celebration in what is now the United States took place in 1621 and was primarily a harvest festival. It was held by the Pilgrims, English settlers who had arrived on the Mayflower, and was shared with the Wampanoag people, a Native American tribe.
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The main reasons for the celebration were:

1. Successful Harvest: After a brutal first winter in which many Pilgrims died, the survivors planted crops with help from the Wampanoag. The fall harvest of 1621 was bountiful, and they wanted to give thanks.
2. Gratitude for Survival: The Pilgrims were thankful for having made it through the year, for the food they had, and for the assistance of the Native Americans who taught them how to grow corn, fish, and hunt local game.
3. Peaceful Relations: The feast also symbolized a brief period of peace and cooperation between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, particularly their leader Massasoit, who helped broker a mutual defense agreement.

The celebration lasted for three days and included food, games, and military displays. While it wasn’t called “Thanksgiving” at the time, it is considered the origin of the modern holiday.
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The other side 

​The historical controversy surrounding Thanksgiving primarily centers on how the holiday is portrayed versus the reality of its origins and impact on Indigenous peoples. Here are the key points:

1. The Myth vs. Reality

• Traditional Narrative: Thanksgiving is often depicted as a harmonious feast between Pilgrims and Native Americans in 1621, symbolizing friendship and gratitude.
• Historical Reality: While there was a feast, it occurred in the context of colonial expansion, conflict, and survival, not a long-lasting alliance. The relationship between settlers and Indigenous tribes quickly deteriorated, leading to wars and displacement.

2. Impact on Native Americans

• After the early encounters, Native communities faced violence, land theft, and forced assimilation. For many Indigenous people, Thanksgiving is a day of mourning rather than celebration.
• The National Day of Mourning, observed by Native Americans since 1970, highlights the suffering caused by colonization and challenges the romanticized version of history.

3. Cultural Erasure

• The holiday often ignores Indigenous perspectives, reducing their role to a footnote in a story that glorifies European settlers.
• Many argue that Thanksgiving perpetuates a Eurocentric narrative, overshadowing the resilience and contributions of Native peoples.

4. Modern Debate

• Some advocate for reframing Thanksgiving as a day of gratitude and reflection that acknowledges historical truths.
• Others call for educational reform to teach the complexities of early American history, including Indigenous voices.

​A traditional Thanksgiving dinner in the United States usually includes a variety of classic dishes that reflect the holiday’s history and cultural traditions. Here’s what it typically consists of:
Main Dish

• Roast Turkey – The centerpiece of the meal, often seasoned and roasted, sometimes stuffed with bread-based stuffing.

Side Dishes

• Stuffing (or Dressing) – A mix of bread cubes, herbs, vegetables, and sometimes sausage, cooked inside the turkey or separately.
• Mashed Potatoes – Creamy potatoes often served with gravy.
• Gravy – Made from turkey drippings, poured over turkey and potatoes.
• Cranberry Sauce – Sweet-tart sauce made from cranberries, either fresh or canned.
• Sweet Potatoes or Yams – Often baked or mashed, sometimes topped with marshmallows or pecans.
• Green Bean Casserole – Green beans mixed with cream of mushroom soup and topped with crispy fried onions.
• Dinner Rolls – Soft bread rolls served warm.

Desserts

• Pumpkin Pie – The most iconic Thanksgiving dessert.
• Apple Pie or Pecan Pie – Other popular choices.

Optional Additions

• Cornbread, roasted vegetables, mac and cheese, and salads are also common in many households.