SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. - Julisa Carrasco is not letting a cast on her foot stop her from helping set up her family's annual Thanksgiving celebration.
"I just love helping," Julisa said while opening a can of cranberry sauce. "I guess that's one thing that I love to do."
What began with one guest 13 years ago has blossomed into a tradition of feeding 200. The dinner was created by husband and wife Esteban and Rebekah Carrasco.
What You Need To Know
- 2024 will be the 13th year of the Carrasco family hosting a free community Thanksgiving dinner
- The family says anyone in need of a meal is welcome. They're preparing for roughly 200 people
- Parents Esteban and Rebekah Carrasco say while they're beginning to wind down, their kids are starting to take over the operation
- The Carrascos are hoping to feed people impacted by the seven-alarm fire in Southbridge earlier this month
"Throughout the years, it's nice to see everybody else serving and just loving, giving back to others on this thankful day that we celebrate here," Rebekah said.
The family operates out of their church. And while every year is important, 2024 comes with some added motivation to help. Earlier this month, nearly 30 people were displaced in a massive seven-alarm fire on Union Street.
"We were able to get five names of families that said they were going to consider sitting down with us this year for our 13th meal," said Esteban. "That's really what it's all about."
The family has spent the last few nights mashing the cranberry sauce, gutting the turkeys, and getting some cooking done in advance. Fifteen birds will be served Thursday, alongside a mountain of sides.
A lot has changed over the course of 13 years, but the mission has stayed the same. The Carrasco children were just kids when they first started helping out. This is the only Thanksgiving they know. And the only one they want.
"They freak out like 'thank you so much,'" said Samuel, one of Rebekah and Esteban's sons. "Other people [say], 'Thank you. Have a nice day.' It doesn't matter. The feeling that you get knowing that you've impacted someone's life in a greater dimension than you realize, it's amazing."
Thirteen years is a long time. Esteban and Rebekah still have the same enthusiasm as they did on day one, but they admit, they're starting to wind down a bit. Thankfully for the community, it's the kids who want to make sure this tradition continues for years to come.
"It's important for me because I see the need in our community," said Julisa. "I just love giving back to the people who need it."
"They tease me every year that we have to keep going and we have to do more," Rebekah joked. "And yeah, they're getting to the age where they can be the ones running it. So, they can cook the 15 turkeys. I'm good with that."
The family encourages anyone who may be struggling or spending the holiday alone to stop by for the meal.