Four times each year, Ipswich-Rowley Rotary volunteers gather at the Masonic Lodge in Ipswich to serve nutritious meals to senior citizens and other residents. This month, a dozen Rotarians and local volunteers served over 70 “Ipswich Dinner Bell’ guests and prepared another 75 meals for delivery to those unable to attend.
The Ipswich Dinner Bell provides free meals weekly. Ipswich churches, veterans, and non-profits rotate as hosts, setting up the room, plating meals, delivering food and desserts, and cleaning up and resetting the room after the event. Ipswich High School Interactors participate during the school year wearing team shirts that are a great hit with the elderly guests. Ipswich EarlyAct, the Rotary sponsored elementary school club, is another group that lends a hand during the year.
At our regular meeting last week, founder and Director Dorothy Calandra shared the story of the Ipswich Dinner Bell. It was formed in 2010 as a “non-profit cooperation of churches and community organizations to serve hot, nutritious meals, free to all who come, and create a mealtime atmosphere of fellowship with one another.” The Committee receives primary support from the Ipswich Masonic Lodge whose members support the food preparation and wash the dishes every week, the Ipswich YMCA which organizes the delivery drivers, and the Institution for Savings and Ebsco that provide generous donations.Recently, head cook Denny Drislane retired but has stayed on to assist. Rotarians will recognize that name. Yes, Denny is the brother of legendary Past District Governor David Drislane. Denny is much like his brother, charming and dedicated to helping others in need.
Rotarians pictured above: from center front Andrea Lacroix, George Gray, Steele Sartwell, Laurie Cameron, Julie Nelson, Gina Healy, Joe Healy, Mason volunteer, Martha Mauser, John Witzig, Brian Nelson, Diane Herth, and Iris Yoeli. Not seen in the photo is Ashley Borden.
At right, Dorothy Calandra