KENNEBUNK — On Thursday, Nov. 23, Community Harvest, a local nonprofit organization, will host the 19th Annual Project Pilgrim at St. Martha’s Church on U.S. Route 1 in Kennebunk.  

Project Pilgrim is a complimentary Thanksgiving Day dinner for community members to come together and share in delicious food and wonderful company.

Dinner will be prepared by Head Chef Mario Barros along with dozens of other volunteers. It will be served buffet-style from noon to 1:30 p.m. 

Walk-ins are welcome and reservations can be made in advance by calling 967-1911. Kindly leave a message with your name and the number of guests you will be bringing. 

Guests may request a meal delivery to their home or transportation to and from the dinner, as well.

In 2016, Project Pilgrim served dinner over 300 people, including guests and volunteers. The event is a wonderful way for neighbors to get to know each other while enjoying a homemade Thanksgiving meal.

Project Pilgrim is an annual community-wide effort, which so many families have made their holiday tradition. While some come out and volunteer to help out in the kitchen and the dining room, others come and enjoy the turkey with all the fixings.  

“We’re so thankful to have Chef Mario Barros at the helm directing an army of volunteer cooks,” said Jeanne Gomez, Project Pilgrim co-chairperson and member of Community Harvest’s board of directors. “We are looking forward to greeting our friends and neighbors and celebrating Thanksgiving together.”

Chef Barros and his team will be making the traditional Thanksgiving offerings such as turkey and stuffing along with his famous cranberry chutney.

Community Harvest hopes that local businesses will consider donating desserts. Additional donations of harvest decorations and turkey breasts will be accepted. Those interested in making a donation of any kind can call 967-1911.

The Community Harvest organization was founded in 1999 and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Kennebunk. It focuses on providing food and emergency community assistance for those living in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Arundel, and offers all services free of charge.

In addition to Project Pilgrim, Community Harvest hosts the complimentary Noel Dinner on Christmas Day, as well as Harvest Café, a complimentary dinner for the community on the third Thursday of every month at the Lutheran Church in Kennebunk. 

More information about programs and services offered by Community Harvest can be found by visiting www.communityharvestonline.org or by calling 967-1911.