Thanksgiving in Massena

Updated Nov. 28 to include final number of dinners served.

A final total of 800 local residents  received free Thanksgiving dinners, thanks to the hard work of volunteers at the First United Methodist Church of Massena, St. Peter’s Parish and other community members.

This is the third year the churches and community have offered free takeout meals to area residents the day before Thanksgiving, said organizer Kathy Perry.

Karen Murray, calling herself the“turkey hunter,” said they roasted 50 turkeys on Monday and then bought more with the additional reservations they received the last few days.

Takeout dinners were passed out Wednesday afternoon at the Methodist Church from 3-6 p.m., and 60 meals were delivered to those unable to pick up the meals.

 Donors for the Thanksgiving dinners included the the American Legion, AmVets Ladies Auxiliary, Arconic, IBEW, Massena Hospital, Massena Savings & Loan, Price Chopper, St. Peter’s Outreach, Salvation Army, SeaComm, Walmart, Al Chilten Sr., David Fenton, Jean Centrella, Scott Wilson, Shawn Gray, William Brower and Dennis Laplante.