A couple of years ago the Free Community Meals Network produced a free, community Thanksgiving meal for those who would otherwise not have had a Thanksgiving meal or who would have spent the day alone.
The members of the group – West Running Brook Middle School, First Parish Congregational Church, Transfiguration Episcopal Church, Etz Hayim Synagogue, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Salvation Army and the Sonshine Soup Kitchen, all in Derry, have once again joined forces to work together to get food donated, purchased and prepared for a free Thanksgiving meal.
This year’s Thanksgiving Day dinner will be held at the Church of the Transfiguration, 1 Hood Road. Members of the public who would like to attend are asked to respond at 432-2120 so organizers will have an idea of numbers.
The dinner will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, and is free to the community.
The Thanksgiving feast is expected to be pretty much like the one held two years ago, featuring turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, green bean casserole, squash, potatoes, rolls, coffee, iced tea, lemonade, and assorted pies for dessert.
One of the organizers, Mimi Cagle, said, “Two years ago, some generous soul donated fleece jackets and vests, which we offered as door prizes. We would love to give out door prizes again if anyone has an interesting donation to offer. Those fleeces were much appreciated.”
Anyone wishing to donate is invited to call the above phone number.
Table decorations are being offered by a local Girl Scout troop. The dinner two years ago attracted about 70 attendees, and organizers are anticipating a similar crowd this year.
Anyone interested in volunteering to help with preparing and serving the meal and/or helping clean up after the meal is asked to call the above number.
Organizers note that this free, community meal is offered so that no one in the Derry area has to go without a Thanksgiving Day dinner or be alone on that day. Everyone is welcome, and anyone in need of a tasty Thanksgiving Day meal or in need of company on that day is encouraged to attend.