[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 18 (Thursday, January 30, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       TRIBUTE TO DAVID MELINCOFF

 Mr. SANDERS. Madam President, I rise today to recognize a 
remarkable Vermonter, David Melincoff, who is carrying on the tradition 
of providing a good meal and fostering a sense of community each 
Thanksgiving.
  As many Vermonters continue to struggle to make ends meet in the wake 
of the most severe recession to hit the United States in generations, 
Mr. Melincoff marked the 24th year his Burlington, VT restaurant has 
offered a traditional Thanksgiving dinner at no cost. Nearly 1,000 
dinners were given away this past Thanksgiving. Since the Thanksgiving 
Community Dinner started 24 years ago at Sweetwaters American Bistro, 
Mr. Melincoff estimates that more than 20,000 meals have been served 
free of charge.
  The dinner, a traditional Thanksgiving meal of turkey, stuffing, and 
mashed potatoes, offers the same experience a diner would have eating 
at the restaurant on any other night, including wait service provided 
by volunteers. The fundamental difference is that the meal is free of 
charge--and the sense of community this generosity inspires is 
undeniable.
  It is not only those who are having financial difficulties who attend 
the Thanksgiving Community Dinner. As Mr. Melincoff noted, ``Sometimes 
it's an emotional need.'' Often, people who have lost a loved one 
attend in order to share in the company and fellowship of others. The 
dinner provides an opportunity where people, regardless of their 
economic status, can sit and break bread together. ``Here, they just 
feel equal. That's the part that always gets me,'' Mr. Melincoff said. 
``It's about self-respect.''
  The meal itself is just one part of the day-long event. A coat 
donation drive was added as another effort to serve 4 years ago. 
Hundreds of coats are collected in advance by the Windjammer Restaurant 
in South Burlington, and this year roughly 700 coats were provided to 
individuals in need.
  Local residents and members of the business community also pitch in 
to make the Thanksgiving Community Dinner a success. Everyone benefits 
from this event, whether it is from the food provided or the 
satisfaction of giving back to the community. For the volunteers, Mr. 
Melincoff noted, ``it puts things into perspective about what you 
should be grateful for.''
  Mr. President, I wanted to take this opportunity to commend Mr. 
Melincoff for his commitment and service to others and applaud his 
efforts to reach to out those in need.

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