SACO — It takes 25 turkeys to prepare the annual Knights of Columbus community Thanksgiving dinner at Most Holy Trinity Church.
This year, volunteers are getting ready to serve about 500 people, said Michael Bolduc, an organizer and member of the Knights of Columbus St. Joseph Council No. 12941. About 400 pounds of vegetables, including 200 pounds of potatoes, are needed for the 15th annual free dinner, which features turkey with all the fixings, beverages and dessert.
Extra food gets packed up and given to local organizations that help the needy, said Bolduc, who added, “Nothing goes to waste.”
The event is put on by area Knights of Columbus, however, it’s become a community event, with support from people not associated with the Knights, as well as area businesses, said Bolduc. According to a press release from the Good Shepherd Parish, more than 75 people are expected to help serve the meal.
“My phone’s been ringing off the hook for the past three weeks,” said Bolduc. “The support is just overwhelming.”
“I can’t mention all the volunteers, there are just too many,” said Bolduc, however, there have been a few core volunteers ”“ Bianca Moses, Brad Goulet and family, Sue Suchecki and her mother ”“ and many people showing up to help year after year.
The Saco meal, which will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., is one of a number of free Thanksgiving dinners in the area, where all are welcome. The Knights of Columbus will also be delivering meals to those who are homebound.
In Old Orchard Beach, the Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church will be holding its ninth annual community Thanksgiving dinner, and expects to serve nearly 300 meals. The church is serving dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the corner of Washington and Cedar avenues, and also provides delivery service and rides for those who don’t have transportation.
“This is our way of saying ”˜thank you’ to our community for their support of our food pantry and clothes closet over the years,” said Pastor Michael Gray. “We love our community and are always looking for ways to connect even more with our friends and neighbors.”
Gray said the church is just trying to make sure people get a nice, hot meal on Thanksgiving.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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The following is a list free dinners open to the community on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28. Dinners will take place on Thanksgiving unless otherwise noted.
BERWICK
Table of Plenty community kitchen is hosting a dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 27 from 4:45-6 p.m. at the United Methodist Church on School Street.
BIDDEFORD
Bon Appetit will be serving dinner from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church, 19 Crescent St.
KENNEBUNK
A free dinner will be served at the Dorothy Stevens Community Center at 80 Thompson Road, from noon to 2 p.m. Reservations are appreciated but not required; call Barbara at 985-2272 or Carol at 985-4571. Takeout containers will be available.
Community Harvest is hosting a dinner from noon to 1:30 p.m. at St. Martha’s Church, 34 Portland Road. Call 967-1911 for reservations, a meal delivery or transportation.
NORTH BERWICK
The North Berwick Community Center is holding a dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 266 Lebanon Road. Call 603-781-5221 by Monday to make reservations to attend, schedule transportation or arrange meal delivery.
OLD ORCHARD BEACH
The Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church is hosting a dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 2 Fountain Ave. Call 934-553 or email info@oobumchurch.org for delivery.
SACO
The Knight of Columbus is hosting a Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Most Holy Trinity Church, 271 Main St., Saco. Call 282-0262 by Monday to reserve meal delivery.
SANFORD
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9935 is hosting a Thanksgiving Day meal at noon at the post, 1 Hutchinson St., off School Street. For more information, call the post at 324-1142. Transportation is available.
YORK
Table of Plenty community kitchen is hosting a dinner on Tuesday, with beverages and socializing from 4-5 p.m., and dinner from 5-6 p.m. at First Parish Congregational Church on York Street.
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