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GIV Honors Veterans at Annual Dinner

The Guilford Interfaith Volunteers (GIV) and Meals on Wheels are paying homage to those who have served our country with their 23rd annual lasagna dinner on Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11. Veterans who RSVP before Wednesday, Nov. 6, will dine for free.

According to GIV Executive Director Christi Burton, the event also serves as a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels.

“It’s a way for us to honor our veterans all across the state,” Burton said. “We not only do that, but we get the opportunity to raise money for Meals on Wheels as well.”

While veterans dine for free at the annual event, Burton noted that this year, the Ethan Miller Song Foundation has donated the cost of providing those free meals. Tickets for non-veterans are $22; non-veterans seniors are $20. And, as always, the highlight of the lasagna dinner is chef Larry Santamaria’s meat and vegetable lasagnas. Meals will be available for in-person dining at the Guilford Community Center or take-out.

Meals on Wheels provides hot meals to homebound Guilford residents in need of temporary or long-term assistance. While recipients pay per meal on a sliding scale, Meals on Wheels receives no state or federal funding. Fundraiser events like the annual lasagna dinner help the organization continue to offer its services.

In addition to providing nutritious meals, GIV also operates Charlie’s Closet, a medical equipment clearing house for those who need short-term or long-term use of items like canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and even hospital beds. GIV also works with the Guilford Food Bank as part of its mission of neighbors helping neighbors.

“We understand that inflation is a big reason why people are struggling to be able to afford food,” Christi Burton said. “We really appreciate anything that people are able to donate.”

The annual lasagna dinner is on Monday, Nov. 11, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Nathanael B. Greene Community Center, 32 Church Street, Guilford. For tickets or to RSVP, call the GIV office at 203-453-8359 Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. until Wednesday, Nov. 6. For more information about GIV, visit www.givct.org.