SACO — Fifty turkeys and 400 pounds of vegetables must be prepared for the annual community Thanksgiving dinner at Most Holy Trinity Church.

The annual free dinner, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, is now in its 19th year, and will be held on Thanksgiving from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 271 Main St. in downtown Saco.

The community dinner has grown over the years, with 70 meals served the first year and 850 meals served, both at the church hall and take-out, were served last year, according to organizer Mike Bolduc.

The Thanksgiving dinner includes turkey and all the fixings, including dessert. The church hall is decorated for the event, tables are set with real plates and silverware – not disposable, and men in tuxes serve non-alcoholic champagne, said Bolduc. 

“It’s a complete Thanksgiving dinner, from soup to nuts,” said Bolduc.

Everyone is invited to attend. Some people come because they can’t afford to make a big dinner at home, others come because they don’t want to cook, others come for the fellowship.

Volunteers from the church and the greater community are eager to do their part to help, and about 175 people donate their time to complete various tasks, including meal prep, serving and delivering take-out dinners

“People come in with their knives and peelers ready to work,” said Bolduc.

Organizers assign tasks and have the annual production of the meal down to a science so that it runs smoothly.
 
“It’s a lot of work, but it makes for a wonderful day,” said Bolduc.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].