Spirit of Thanksgiving 2012

At Salty’s Restaurant in Clifton Park, NY, it doesn’t matter if you have a million dollars in the bank.  If you don’t have anywhere to go for Thanksgiving, you are welcome to join in the “Spirit of Thanksgiving” .  No one spends the holidays alone

The Twin Bridge Rotary Club brought the Saratoga Country community together when they asked John Marzilli, owner of the Clifton Park, NY Restaurant Salty’s Pub and Bistro, if he would host a non-profit Thanksgiving dinner for anyone in the community back in 2006.  It was a HUGE success – they donated more than 350 pounds of food and served 150 people.  It’s been an annual event ever since.  With your help, this year we hope to serve over 350 people.

For Chef Marzilli, Thanksgiving has always been a time of giving back.  ”When I was a kid, my dad would invite co-workers to our Thanksgiving dinner every year, and I thought that was pretty cool.  Before I bought Salty’s, I always felt guilty about cooking and wanting so much food around the holidays.  Don’t get me wrong, I am no Mother Theresa, but I think we all think of the lonely or less fortunate during a holiday.”  Says Chef Marzilli

Owning Salty’s Pub and Bistro has given Chef Marzilli the flexibility to do a lot more than just serve food to the public but the joy of giving back as well to the community.  And the community is very appreciative of his generoisty. “Having Thanksgiving at Salty’s with my family was the only place we could be we were so happy that John let us into his home,” says Genee Klien of Mechanicville.

Both Twin Bridges and Salty’s Pub and Bistro believe in the annual “Spirit of Thanksgiving” even can have an even greater impact if more people are able to contribute by either donating food or their time serving.

This year, the annual “Spirit of Thanksgiving” dinner will take place on Thursday, November 22nd.  The “come-together” community event was created by both organizations in the spirit that “no one should spend the holiday alone.”

“There are so many of us who feel blessed.  The “Spirit of Thanksgiving” allows us to share that joy with our friends and neighbors in the Southern Saratoga Area.  We invite the community to submit the names of those individuals or family that need an extra boost during Thanksgiving so they can join us,”  says Tonia Kelley of Twin Bridges Rotary Club

If your agency of organization is in contract with families or individuals who believe would be well served by the Thanksgiving Dinner celebration, contact Sandy McAlonie at 664-1332. Reservations are required. Seating will be on the hour (11 am/ 12 noon/1 pm/2 pm and 3 pm). 

TO SIGN UP ONLINE:  Please visit www.spiritofthanksgiving.org

“The families and individuals who come to eat cannot believe how much food we are giving away,”  says Chef Marzilli.  ”We are even doing limited home deliveries for shut-ins”

Every year there is always food left over, seating is offered by reservation only so be sure to sign up or spread the word early.

MEET  CHEF JOHN MARZILLI:

You believe in contributing to your community in any way that you can.  Why is this so important to you?  

JM: I am very selfish person.  I do it for me, because it makes me feel good “What goes around, comes around”.  I want to help the community

What is so unique about Salty’s?

JM:  You can just tell when you walk into a restaurant if all of the associates are comfortable working there.  I learned a long time ago to empower my staff to do the right thing and all will be okay.  I tell them all the time to service or cook for our guests like they’re our family and i’ll worry about the bottom line.

How did you become involved with the “Spirit of Thanksgiving” ?

JM:  The twin Bridges Rotary meets at Salty’s every Thursday for lunch.  I told them what I wanted to do and the rest is history.  My Thanksgiving are great now because a bunch of people volunteer to put out a fantastic meal for anyone who wants to come.  We don’t care if you have a million dollars in the bank, if you have nowhere to go, you are welcome.

ABOUT TWIN BRIDGES ROTARY:  Twin Bridges Rotary supports many local charities and community organizations as well as international outreach.  To learn more visit twinbridgesrotary.org

TO SIGN UP ONLINE:  Please visit www.spiritofthanksgiving.org