Thanksgiving week will give area residents several opportunities to enjoy turkey dinners and companionship, as well as to offer their time to make sure everyone, including those who are homebound, have hearty meals for the holiday.
On Thanksgiving, community meals will be held in both Northampton and Amherst.
In Northampton, the MANNA Soup Kitchen is inviting people to its annual sit-down dinner between noon and 2 p.m. at Edwards Church, 297 Main St.
Last year, more than 200 people came to this meal in the church’s community hall, and an additional 250 meals were delivered to area homes between 10 and 11 a.m., said Ricki Carroll, who is overseeing the event. “Anybody is invited to come to the meal, no matter who they are or where they’re from,” Carroll said.
Carroll said there will be plenty of turkey, potatoes and other fixings, and pumpkin pie for dessert.
For those who can’t make it to the meal, Carroll said MANNA volunteers will make Thanksgiving Day deliveries to people in Northampton, Florence, Leeds, Easthampton, Westhampton and Hatfield.
To place an order, call 582-1312 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. People should provide their names, street addresses, the number of meals they need and phone number.
Volunteer drivers are needed, Carroll said, and should drop by the Edwards Church State Street entrance between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Those interested in volunteering to prepare the meal, set up the dining hall and serve can go to www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f44a9af2ba0f58-thanksgiving
In Amherst, the Not Bread Alone soup kitchen at First Congregational Church, 165 Main St., will have its Thanskgiving meal served at 1 p.m., though guests can arrive early.
Bob Stover, program supervisor, said the dinner is made from scratch in the kitchen.
“The menu will include turkeys, hams, dressing, potatoes, cranberry sauces, and some classy side dishes including Nottingham Yam Pudding, cranberries braised in red wine and Julia Child’s fluffy pumpkin pie,” Stover said.
In addition, music will be performed.
People interested in volunteering are welcome to drop by that morning and afternoon.
There will be additional chances to enjoy Thanksgiving before and after the holiday.
On Wednesday, the Amherst Survival Center at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 867 North Pleasant St., puts on its annual community meal from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Between 150 and 250 people are expected to come, said Tracey Levy, program director for the center.
“We always look forward to great music put together by Tim Van Egmond and friends, food made by dozens of friends and businesses, and a room filled with hundreds of community members,” Levy said.
On Wednesday in Northampton, Cathedral of the Night will have a dinner at 5 p.m. in front of First Churches, 129 Main St. Pastor Stephanie Smith said this will supplement MANNA’s usual work, with the regular Sunday meal and worship service resuming at 5 p.m. on Nov. 27.
On Friday, Amherst Community Connections will fill a gap in meals by having one at noon at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst, 121 North Pleasant St. Doors open at 11 a.m.
Hwei-Ling Greeney, founder and executive director, said she is making a vegetarian stir fry with spicy tofu, broccoli and peas, recognizing that most guests will already have had plenty of turkey.
“We expect a crowd of 60 to 80 people who will show up,” Greeney said. “People who are hungry for company, people who are hungry for food.”
Prior to Thanksgiving there are other ways people are getting turkeys.
Mark Grabowski at Complete Restoration Solutions in Chicopee is delivering 25 frozen turkeys to the Veterans Administration in Leeds, and the Amherst Survival Center has been distributing turkeys and other food to more than 600 area families through its food pantry.
The Amherst Senior Center has also lined up local families to cook and then deliver Thanksgiving meals to shut-ins on the holiday, while the Easthampton Community Center last week put on its special Thanksgiving meal.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
