Coastal Windows & Exteriors Marks 10 Years of Turkey Donations Amid 26% Surge in Food Assistance Requests

Coastal Windows & Exteriors is marking its 10th consecutive year of turkey and fixin' bag donations to The Open Door Pantry and Beverly Bootstraps as The Open Door reports a 26% surge in food assistance requests since 2024. The exterior remodeling company is donating 50 turkeys weighing 839 pounds to The Open Door in Gloucester, where each bird carries a special tag honoring Coastal's recent customers who made these donations possible. These turkey donations directly address the double-digit increase in food assistance requests The Open Door and Beverly Bootstraps has experienced this year.

Freedom from Want—the fundamental right to live without fear of hunger or deprivation—was first articulated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941. At Coastal Windows & Exteriors, Freedom from Want is the belief that no North Shore resident should go without a roof over their head or food on the table. Julie LaFontaine, President and CEO of The Open Door, stated, "For the past decade, Coastal Windows has embraced the spirit of giving by helping create freedom from want during the holidays with turkey donations. This effort is a powerful example of community strength and the impact of business partnerships working together for good."

Since launching this initiative in 2015, Coastal Windows & Exteriors has invested more than $10,000 in direct food support with 500+ turkeys and food pairings through Beverly Bootstraps and The Open Door. The Freedom from Want meaning extends far beyond a single holiday meal. It represents the fundamental right to live without fear of hunger or deprivation—a vision immortalized in Norman Rockwell's beloved 1943 painting depicting a multigenerational family gathered around an abundant Thanksgiving table.

Stephanie Vanderbilt, owner of Coastal Windows & Exteriors and 2024 Massachusetts Small Business Person of the Year, explained, "What is Freedom from Want in today's world? It's both shelter and sustenance—a secure roof overhead, a warm draft-free home and food on every table. As the #1 woman-owned exterior remodeling contractor in New England, we protect homes from cold and unpredictable weather. Through our community partnerships, we're equally committed to making sure those homes have filled pantries and warm holiday meals."

This November, Coastal Windows & Exteriors contributed 25 fixin' bags to Beverly Bootstraps' ambitious goal of assembling 750 complete holiday meal packages—providing families with everything needed to create treasured Thanksgiving memories. As the Farmers' Almanac predicts a harsh 'Chill, Snow, Repeat' winter pattern ahead with energy costs projected to rise 13% or more, the intersection of housing security and food security becomes even more important. Coastal's work as an exterior remodeling company helps homeowners reduce energy bills through high-performance windows, insulated siding, and energy-efficient roofing systems—savings that can help families allocate more resources toward other essential needs.

The company's decade-long commitment to Freedom from Want extends beyond Thanksgiving. Throughout the year, Coastal Windows & Exteriors supports veterans through the Roofs for Heroes program, sponsors community recognition events, and maintains partnerships with organizations addressing fundamental needs across the North Shore. Vanderbilt concluded, "I love that we are able to support the community with education and a passion for service and love to end with my favorite quote from Julie, from the Open Door…It's a big job but together we are stronger."