Coastal Windows & Exteriors, a Beverly-based exterior remodeling company, is marking its 10th consecutive year of donating turkeys and fixin' bags to The Open Door Pantry and Beverly Bootstraps, addressing a 26% surge in food assistance requests since 2024. The company donated 50 turkeys weighing 839 pounds to The Open Door in Gloucester, with each bird tagged to honor recent customers who made the donations possible. Additionally, 25 fixin' bags were contributed to Beverly Bootstraps' goal of assembling 750 complete holiday meal packages.
The initiative, launched in 2015, has invested over $10,000 in direct food support, providing more than 500 turkeys and food pairings. The donations embody the concept of "Freedom from Want," a phrase from President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1941 speech and later depicted in Norman Rockwell's 1943 painting. Stephanie Vanderbilt, owner of Coastal Windows & Exteriors and 2024 Massachusetts Small Business Person of the Year, emphasized the connection between shelter and sustenance: "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."
The Open Door's President and CEO, Julie LaFontaine, praised the company's decade-long commitment: "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." With the Farmers' Almanac predicting a harsh winter and energy costs projected to rise 13%, Coastal's work in exterior remodeling helps homeowners reduce energy bills through high-performance windows, insulated siding, and energy-efficient roofing systems, allowing families to allocate more resources toward other needs.
Coastal Windows & Exteriors, established in 2011, is a woman-owned, family-run company recognized as the #1 woman-owned exterior remodeling contractor in New England. The company's community support extends year-round through programs like Roofs for Heroes for veterans and partnerships with organizations addressing fundamental needs. As Vanderbilt noted, "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."
