SCRANTON — For Lisa Kramer, giving meals to others is the embodiment of Thanksgiving: it allows her to serve others.
Kramer was among dozens of employees at Hospice of the Sacred Heart who, along with their family members, put together and distributed bags filled with Thanksgiving food this week.
Employees prepared the bags earlier this week, then gathered Thursday morning at Mansour’s Market Cafe and Eatery in the city’s Hill Section and delivered them to patients and their families throughout the region. Deacon Marty Castaldi, the hospice’s chaplain, blessed the bags before employees and their families delivered them.
Officials expected to deliver more than 700 meals during the distribution, which is in its 20th year. The bags include turkey, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables and pumpkin pie.
Kramer, a social worker in the hospice’s inpatient unit, has volunteered at the distribution for several years. She likes the camaraderie that she has with her co-workers, which puts what they do into perspective.
“It’s a great way to start my Thanksgiving Day, to give back to our families and our patients,” Kramer said. “It’s what Thanksgiving is all about, giving thanks for what we have in our lives and try to remember those … (who are) are going through something.”
She said volunteering to distribute meals is her way of giving back to others.
Nick Connors and his wife, Aly — daughter and son-in-law of Ann Seechock, the hospice’s volunteer coordinator — came from Philadelphia to Scranton for the holiday. It is the second year Nick Connors, a Philadelphia native, has volunteered.
“Scranton is a very nice, very tightknit community, and to be able to help is amazing,” he said.
Connors feels volunteering at the distribution is part of the holiday and hopes it will be a Thanksgiving tradition for him. He likes that many families are on hand to help.
“It feels great,” Connors said. “There’s so many people here, just being part of the community and a bunch of families coming out to help and make everyone’s Thanksgiving get a little better.”
Tara Welsh, back right, a licensed practical nurse at Hospice of the Sacred Heart, is assisted by her children, Kaylin, Alanna and Grant, putting bags of Thanksgiving meals into a vehicle to give to families Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Samantha Knowlton, an RN case manager at Hospice of the Sacred Heart, and volunteer Ryan Freedman, load a vehicle with meals Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. The meals were distributed to Hospice of the Sacred Heart families and patients. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Hospice of the Sacred Heart licensed practical nurse Justin Cognetti, left, and volunteer Grace Seechock bring out bags of Thanksgiving meals Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Bags prepared by employees at Hospice of the Sacred Heart sit ready for distribution at Mansour’s Market Cafe Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
A card sticks out from a bag prepared by employees at Hospice of the Sacred Heart at Mansour’s Market Cafe Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. Employees delivered the bags of Thanksgiving food to families served by the hospice. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Hospice of the Sacred Heart CEO Diane Baldi addresses employees and volunteers prior to distributing bags of Thanksgiving meals Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Deacon Marty Castaldi, chaplain at Hospice of the Sacred Heart, sprinkles holy water over bags of Thanksgiving meals prior to employees delivering them to families Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
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Tara Welsh, back right, a licensed practical nurse at Hospice of the Sacred Heart, is assisted by her children, Kaylin, Alanna and Grant, putting bags of Thanksgiving meals into a vehicle to give to families Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
He credits his mother-in-law for organizing the distribution together.
Hospice of the Sacred Heart CEO Diane Baldi estimated between 50 and 60 employees volunteered to prepare and give out 150 bags to families in nine counties. Employees delivered the meals as far away as Wyoming and Susquehanna counties, and southern Luzerne County.
In addition to food, each bag also contained cards from area schools, which she said some families enjoy more than the meal itself. Baldi loves seeing employees come together to pack and deliver the bags, adding it makes the holiday less stressful for caregivers as they don’t have to worry about making a meal.
“It’s really giving back to the families,” she said, adding families love seeing staff deliver meals. “It’s so rewarding for us.”
The hospice started the Thanksgiving distribution 20 years ago as a way to help families and caregivers. Baldi estimates employees have given out around 2,000 meals to families in that time. She said it aligns with the hospice’s mission to provide comfort, care, hope and choice to patients and their families.
Baldi said the gratitude families show toward employees makes it worthwhile.
“I count this whole team as my blessing and it just continues to amaze me,” she said. “I’m in awe of it all the time.”
Dr. Frank Bucci Jr., the hospice’s founder and board chairman, said the distribution shows love to those who are going through struggles. He added giving is beneficial for families and employees.
“This is a way for us to give to the community,” he said. “This is Thanksgiving, so it makes it even that much more special for us.”