SACO — For many people, Thanksgiving day brings to mind large, family gatherings and plates piled high with turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing and cranberry sauce. For those who don’t have the means to make a big dinner with all the fixings or don’t have anyone to spend the holiday with, there are several community dinners welcoming the public to come eat at their table.

Michael Gray, pastor of the Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church, said volunteers are preparing to feed 300 people Thursday at its eighth annual Thanksgiving dinner. 

Volunteers give rides to those who don’t have transportation and deliver meals to Old Orchard Beach, Saco and Biddeford.

Gray described “a beautiful moment” when one volunteer knocked on a door to deliver meals, and was greeted by a woman in her 90s and her daughter who had the table set up for dinner with linens and fine china.

“When we delivered the food, it was like we completed their Thanksgiving,” he said.

Gray said volunteers also make “surprise visits” and deliver meals to the police department, and other places such as a local Laundromat where people are working on Thanksgiving.

Gray said he and his family attend every year, and though it’s a lot of work, everyone always has a good time putting it on.

“It’s just awesome every year,” said Gray.

Mike Bolduc, a member of the St. Joseph Council No. 12941, Knights of Columbus, and one of the organizers for the annual community Thanksgiving dinner held at Most Holy Trinity Church in Saco, said last year volunteers fed nearly 500 people. He said this year, they are making enough food for 600 people, and expecting another “fantastic turnout” with at least 500 people eating at the church or picking up dinner to go.

Extra food will be packaged up and given to the needy.

“Nothing goes to waste,” he said.

Bolduc said there are people who have been volunteering since the dinner’s inception 13 years ago and there are families who help out.

“Getting volunteers is not a problem for this affair,” he said, as those who donate their time enjoy it and have fun.

Robin Goodrich, a Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9935 ladies auxiliary member and one of the organizers of the Thanksgiving dinner that will be held at the VFW post in Sanford, said that she is unsure how many people will attend Thursday but she’s hoping for a good crowd to come “have a good time and fill their bellies.” 

Like other area dinners, turkeys will be cooked at the homes of volunteers, and the meal will include traditional sides such as potatoes, stuffing and squash as well as dessert.

“It’s a gigantic dinner,” said Goodrich. “No one will go home hungry.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.