Thanksgiving with Strangers

One year, a Massachusetts man found himself alone for Thanksgiving.  His parents were getting divorced, and he decided that he’d be better off without the drama.  But he hated to eat alone, so he put an ad in the local newspaper calling for twelve other people with nowhere to go for Thanksgiving.  The ad promised a free hot meal, and all they had to do was reply.

Scott Macaulay had Thanksgiving dinner with strangers that year, and he’s been doing it ever since.  For 33 years, he’s been providing a place for people to go who otherwise would have been alone.  He doesn’t turn anyone away, so his guest list can range from 30 to over well 100 people.  He buys and personally prepares all of the food, which is a lofty challenge on the salary for a vacuum repairman.  But he willingly does it every year, because he loves the social interaction and loves to give back.  He even brings in homey touches to make the church where he hosts the dinner a little “warmer.”  Items like art, rugs, and even fireplaces.

“I think each of us are called to brighten a corner where we are and if everybody took care of their neighbor in their own neighborhood we’d have a much better world,” Macaulay said.  “Someday, maybe nobody will call me up and say they’re coming for Thanksgiving dinner, and I’ll be really happy that everybody’s got a place to go.”