On November 26, River Community, a pioneering residential treatment program for substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, hosted its 26th Annual Harvest Feast. Held every year on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, this cherished event brought together over 300 attendees, including residents, alumni, participants, staff from other Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS) programs, their families, and members of the wider community. Together, they celebrated the season in a spirit of gratitude and recovery.
The Harvest Feast highlights the transformative power of gratitude and connection, which are vital to addiction recovery and mental health. The holiday season can be a challenging time, evoking complex emotions and memories, especially for those in recovery. Events like this foster a sense of belonging and joy, offering the community a chance to come together and build resilience and hope.
Led by Program Director Sarah Tostado and the River Community team, with the full support of SMRS staff, the feast was a resounding success. At the heart of the celebration was a bountiful Thanksgiving meal prepared by Kitchen Supervisor Ray Ledford and dedicated residential kitchen staff. The menu included classic holiday favorites such as turkey, ham, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, mac and cheese, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, and an assortment of desserts, including sweet potato pie, apple pie, Dutch apple pie, bread pudding, and fudge.
Ray, an exceptional chef, takes pride in crafting meals that are both delicious and nutritious. His understanding of the connection between healthy eating and mental health ensures that the food served at River Community not only satisfies the palate but also contributes to overall well-being.
The celebration extended beyond the meal, offering attendees a vibrant array of activities. Live music filled the air with festive cheer, while a photobooth allowed guests to capture cherished memories. The event also served as a unique opportunity for networking, enabling attendees from various organizations to connect with SMRS staff and each other. Facility tours provided insight into River Community’s mission and services, further strengthening the bonds within this supportive network.
As SMRS grows, so does the Harvest Feast. Each year, more individuals and families gather to experience the warmth, gratitude, and connection that define this special event. It is not just a celebration of recovery, but a testament to the resilience and strength of the community and a reminder of the power of coming together to provide joy, hope, and healing to those in recovery and their loved ones.
