Coastal Windows & Exteriors Celebrates Decade of Freedom from Want with 50 Turkeys and 25 Fixin’ Bag

Coastal Windows & Exteriors Celebrates Decade of Freedom from Want with 50 Turkeys and 25 Fixin’ Bag Donations for North Shore Families

Local exterior remodeling company marks 10th year of turkey donation initiative as food requests increase by 26%

BEVERLY, MA — November 24, 2025 — In a milestone year that demonstrates the power of a warm meal and a roof over your head, Coastal Windows & Exteriors is marking its 10th consecutive year of bringing Norman Rockwell's vision of Freedom from Want to life through turkey and fixin’ bag donations to The Open Door Pantry and Beverly Bootstraps. As The Open Door is reporting an alarming 26% surge in food assistance requests since 2024, the goal is to assist North Shore families facing food insecurity with a hot Thanksgiving Day meal, cooked at home. 

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. 

"For the past decade, Coastal Windows has embraced the spirit of giving by helping create freedom from want during the holidays with turkey donations," said Julie LaFontaine, President and CEO of The Open Door. "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.

"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," says Stephanie Vanderbilt, owner of Coastal Windows & Exteriors and 2024 Massachusetts Small Business Person of the Year. "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. 

“[We] had 50 year old foggy, leaky windows.and slider replaced with triple pane glass. Now we can again enjoy the beautiful views,” said Kevin C., a Coastal Windows & Exteriors customer. “Patrick’s performance was professional throughout this transaction. Completely satisfied. I highly recommend!”

With energy efficient replacement windows. weatherproof roofing, durable entry doors, insulated vinyl siding, and James Hardie fiber cement installation, all North Shore homeowners can enjoy increased indoor comfort this season and beyond. 

“James Hardie board [...] exceeded our expectations and we continuously receive comments on how beautiful it looks,” said Alix C., a North Shore homeowner and Coastal Windows & Exteriors homeowner. “The crew that showed up was courteous, competent, and were clearly experts in what they were doing. The project manager, Steve checked in on the progress regularly and helped to work through any issues that arose.The work was done quickly, but the quality was top-notch. We would use Coastal again.”

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. The company is planning to install a brand new GAF roofing system to a veteran in need this season, located in [TOWN, STATE].

“Our leaky old roof was replaced professionally and seamlessly,” said Emily N., a Coastal Windows & Exteriors customer. “I cannot say enough good things about our roofing team, from the initial consultation to the final clean up.”

“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.” Stephanie Vanderbilt, owner of Coastal Windows & Exteriors.

About Coastal Windows & Exteriors

Established in 2011, Coastal Windows & Exteriors is a local woman-owned, family-run and operated exterior remodeling company in Beverly, Massachusetts. Committed to providing homeowners with an empathetic and educational experience through exterior remodeling, Coastal Windows & Exteriors is recognized for numerous accolades including: SBA Massachusetts Business Person of the Year, GAF President's Club Award, James Hardie Service Excellence Award, James Hardie President's Club Award, Minuteman Service Award, Family Business of the Year, and the #1 Woman-Owned Replacement Company in New England on Inc. 5000 and the Qualified Remodeler Top 500 List. Additional Qualified Remodeler Qualified Remodeler Top 500 List rankings include #4 overall and #4 among privately owned exterior remodeling companies in New England, and the only roofing company in the region to make the list. CWE is also #2 Qualified Remodeler Top Satisfaction Leader in Home Improvement . The company has won the BONS Editors' Choice Award 2023, 2024, and 2025. Coastal Windows & Exteriors stands out as New England's top-rated remodeler with the highest volume of verified reviews. As a family-owned business rather than a franchise, Coastal provides homeowners with a local, one-on-one experience with an award-winning company they can trust. The company is a GAF-certified roofing contractor, James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, and offers energy-efficient replacement windows, vinyl siding, and entry doors.