SKOWHEGAN — The Skowhegan Community Center is set to open its doors Thursday to those interested in a holiday meal as the town continues its tradition of offering a free Thanksgiving Day community dinner.

Turkey, all the fixings and dessert are to be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center at 39 Poulin Drive. The public is welcome and reservations are not required.

About 350 meals were served last year, according to Denise LeBlanc, director of the Skowhegan Parks & Recreation Department, and organizers expect to serve at least that many Thursday.

The holiday meal in Skowhegan is one of a few planned for Thursday in the area.

Messalonskee High School in Oakland is set to host a free meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A sit-down dinner is planned, and meals are to be delivered to those who request it by calling 207-431-1050.

In Madison, VFW Post 7865 at 58 Preble Ave. is planning a potluck dinner scheduled to begin at noon. Veterans and a guest can have a free meal, and others are asked to pay $10 each.

The Readfield United Methodist Church is set to host a free Thanksgiving dinner with dessert. The meal, which is open to the public, is scheduled for noon to 2 p.m. at 1564 Main St.

In Augusta, Le Club Calumet’s annual free community Thanksgiving meal is planned for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The turkey dinner with dessert is to be served in the club’s ballroom at 334 West River Road. Donations are optional and would benefit Bread of Life Ministries.

The Valley of Augusta Scottish Rite Masons is set to offer free eat-in or takeout Thanksgiving meals from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kennebec Valley at 14 Pray St. in Gardiner. Meals can also be delivered at no cost. To request meal delivery, email Joe Hersom at joe.hersom@ejprescott.com.

In Skowhegan, LeBlanc said attendance at the town’s community dinner has increased steadily since the community center began hosting the gathering about 20 years ago.

“Some people don’t have families or anybody around, so we have a good crowd that comes,” she said. “We have some people that come on a yearly basis. It’s very rewarding.”

The Skowhegan Fire Department has volunteered again this year to deliver Thanksgiving dinner to about 100 people who have requested their meal be brought Thursday to their home.

All of the food is donated by people, businesses and community organizations, LeBlanc said.

Volunteers and LeBlanc’s staff members have been working to prepare the various dishes in the community center’s kitchen.

With 30 turkeys to cook before Thursday, they fired up the center’s ovens Monday and were planning to continue roasting the birds through Wednesday, when they plan to prepare the other dishes on the menu.

Organizers typically use the leftover turkey, gravy and vegetables to make turkey pies, which they sell to raise money for next year’s Thanksgiving Day community dinner, LeBlanc said.

She encouraged people in the community to attend Thursday’s gathering.

“It’s a special part of our community,” LeBlanc said. “We just celebrate together and hopefully make someone’s Thanksgiving extra special.”

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