SCRANTON — Barry Snyder packed Thanksgiving packages for Meals-on-Wheels recipients on Tuesday morning, making sure each contained a meal and other food items.
Snyder, director of community outreach at the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike, thought of his grandparents, now deceased, as he worked.
He might not be able to help them, but he can help other older people in the area have a nice Thanksgiving, he said.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich talks with state Rep. Kyle Mullins at Meals on Wheels NEPA in Scranton Tuesday, November 25, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich works with area agencies to help pack meals for Thanksgiving distribution at Meals on Wheels NEPA in Scranton Tuesday, November 25, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
State Rep. Kyle Mullins works with area agencies and local represeantatives to pack food for Thanksgiving meal distributions at Meals on Wheels NEPA in Scranton Tuesday, November 25, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Employees of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties Frank Kincel and Dan Nowakowski unpack boxes of produce for Thanksgiving meal distributions at Meals on Wheels NEPA in Scranton Tuesday, November 25, 2205. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Show Caption
1 of 4
Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich talks with state Rep. Kyle Mullins at Meals on Wheels NEPA in Scranton Tuesday, November 25, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
“This is a great way to start the Thanksgiving week,” he said.
Volunteers assisted the Area Agency on Aging in offering free Thanksgiving meal deliveries for homebound individuals and families in Lackawanna County.
Across town at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple, Joan Pilosi was packaging food items for the Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center in an effort to provide food to the needy families this Thanksgiving.
Pilosi retired about 10 years ago as a first grade teacher and immediately began helping others.
“It feels good to know others will have a meal for Thanksgiving,” she said. “I love doing this.”
Lily Opshinski and Nathaniel Kenny of Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center, prepare Thanksgiving food packages for those in need on Tuesday Nov. 25, 2025. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Joan Pilosi prepares Thanksgiving packages for those in need at the Scranton Cultural Center on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Show Caption
1 of 2
Lily Opshinski and Nathaniel Kenny of Friends of the Poor and Catherine McAuley Center, prepare Thanksgiving food packages for those in need on Tuesday Nov. 25, 2025. (GERI GIBBONS/STAFF PHOTO)
Expand
Honoring our seniors
Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich was helping prepare meals at the Meals-on-Wheels site before delivering them in Lackawanna County.
“Today is really about aging and community,” he said. “Look around you and you’ll see partners from our Legislature, the United Way, Meals-on-Wheels, Friends of the Poor, all contributing with our Agency on Aging to feed older adults during the Thanksgiving holiday.”
The current state administration, he said, is supporting older adults so they can age with grace and dignity, provided with necessary services.
“It’s important for older adults to feel connected to their community and to be part of their community, knowing that their community respects them and wants them to age with dignity and grace,” he said. “They’re the backbone of our community.”
State Reps. Kyle Mullins and Bridget Kosierowski were also on hand to assist with the effort.
As Mullins looked around at a room full of volunteers, he was encouraged by the concern neighbors had for neighbors.
“We know food insecurity affects every neighborhood in both cities and rural areas,” he said.
Recently, when SNAP benefits were threatened by the federal shutdown, organizations and individuals stepped up to help, he said.
It’s that spirit of generosity that defines our area, he said.
Both Kavulich and Mullins pointed out the Shapiro administration’s commitment to ensure all Pennsylvanians have access to food.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget includes an $11 million increase for food security, including $5 million to Pennsylvania food banks and $2 million for a new State Food Bucks program to supplement SNAP.