One Woman’s Compassion Fuels a Community of Hope

Shrewsbury woman leads Thanksgiving turkey drive for almost 300 families

A Heart That Never Stops Giving

Community of Hope

Hours before cars begin lining up at the Scandinavian Athletic Club parking lot in Shrewsbury, volunteers are already assembling hundreds of Thanksgiving meal bags—each one packed with everything a family needs to celebrate the holiday with dignity and warmth. This year, 266 people requested a meal basket, the highest number since COVID. Here, no one is asked to prove hardship. They just have to ask. As long as baskets remain, everyone is welcomed.

At the center of this movement stands organizer Andrea Castinetti, moving among volunteers with hugs, instructions, and the kind of energy only purpose can produce. She started this annual turkey drive eight years ago, fundraising on her Facebook page, partnering with local businesses, and inspiring a core team of volunteers who return year after year.

Her efforts would be remarkable on their own, but they are only part of Andrea’s daily life. While running her successful real estate company—43 agents strong and serving clients throughout Central Massachusetts and beyond—she somehow finds more hours in the day than most. From vigil organizing to fundraising, from toy drives to backpack donations for kids in foster care, Andrea’s heart is wired to find needs and fill them.

When tragedy struck two months ago—the killing of Shrewsbury father Kevin Doherty—Andrea stepped forward once again, organizing a vigil and raising $100,000 for his family. For many grieving neighbors, that gathering became the first step toward healing.

Her service roots run deep. Her first organized effort? Helping rehome a dog named Bear. She recalled, “I never knew it could actually feel so good!” That moment sparked a lifelong passion to help both people and animals.

In 2024, Andrea helped open the Central Mass Pet Pantry, providing free food, toys, bedding, treats, and litter to more than 600 people each month. She sees how financial struggles often hit family pets first and says, “People need to make the decision—do we feed our family, or do we feed our pets?” Thanks to the pantry, many families never have to make that heartbreaking choice.

Through every project, she emphasizes that she is far from alone. “We have a great network of people who just want to make a difference,” she says. One of those helpers, Alexandra Martin, reflected while assembling Thanksgiving baskets, “I think we’ve all gone through terrible times in our life. And I feel like, even when things are bad, when you give back to everybody you realize how much worse everybody else has it than you do.”

Andrea understands this deeply. In 2008, she lost her home and filed for bankruptcy. Starting over gave her a different perspective: with help, people can recover. And then, as Andrea says, “And then they pay it forward.” Some who once received help now donate toys or provide meals. She calls it “the most satisfying thing in the world.”

Even volunteers have found their lives transformed. Sharon, who directs traffic during the turkey drive, lost her job three years ago. Volunteering here led her to meet someone in line…and she found new employment. “Andrea and her team just do great things. They’re community driven. It’s all from the heart. And she’ll do whatever she can for someone,” Sharon said.

Shrewsbury woman leads Thanksgiving turkey drive for hundreds of families

Drivers pulling in to pick up Thanksgiving baskets often leave in tears. Food prices are rising; many families are struggling. One recipient, Ashley, said emotionally, “Food prices right now are skyrocketing. And to be able to get a Thanksgiving meal… It’s such a blessing for me and for my family.” Another driver, whose car had just been towed, said simply, “I’m very thankful.”

Andrea sees their faces, feels their gratitude, and understands what a “small” dinner can mean. “They hug you,” she says. “They have tears in their eyes… for something as small as a dinner.” And yet, as everyone who receives one knows, these baskets are anything but small—they are reminders that community still matters.

Andrea Castinetti shows what happens when one person decides that helping others is not an occasional act but a way of life. Her story is proof that compassion is contagious. When people see generosity in action, they want to join in. And in a world where many feel divided, her work is a beautiful reminder that kindness still has the power to unite us. If more of us followed her simple but powerful belief—“We make time”—our communities would shine a little brighter every day.

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