SKOWHEGAN— The Skowhegan Community Center has hosted its free Thanksgiving dinner for 18 years. A tradition since 2005, the center thrives in serving the community and those away from their families during the holiday season.

The center, at 39 Poulin Drive, was expecting almost 200 people to enjoy turkey and fixings Thursday, with more than 140 deliveries being made by the Skowhegan Police and Fire departments.

“It’s all about giving back to the community that has given so much,” said Denise LeBlanc, director of Skowhegan Parks & Recreation Department.

Each year since the pandemic began, the community center has seen an increase in the number of people attending its dinners. “We did a curbside pickup during COVID,” LeBlanc recalls, pointing toward the parking lot across the dining hall. Even the pandemic, LeBlanc said, could not stop them from hosting their dinner.

Denise LeBlanc, director of the Skowhegan Community Center, packages up to-go meals Thursday during the community Thanksgiving meal at the center. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

The initiative is fueled by the need for gathering, especially during the holiday season, for the less fortunate and those missing home, she said. Since its inception, the dinner has been supported by donors from across the region and has been widely supported by the community, she said.

“It warms my heart to be able to give back to my community,” said Donna York, a longtime center volunteer.

The scale of the dinner has grown over the past couple of years, York said, with a steady increase in deliveries of meals to families who can’t afford to make an entire Thanksgiving meal, and to those who live alone in the area.

“Putting a smile on people’s faces and realizing how fortunate I am (to have) my family,” York said, is what makes Thanksgiving special for her.

From stuffing, to turkey, to pie, the organizers prepped for their annual dinner earlier this week, with over 30 turkeys being roasted and prepared for the guests. The staff and the volunteers, LeBlanc said, peeled 200 pounds of potatoes and vegetables this week.

“I love the cranberry sauce and the stuffing,” York exclaimed.

Carter York, front, 7, and Colbey Mitchell, with hat, 12, volunteer Thursday to serve drinks to people at the Skowhegan Community Center’s Thanksgiving meal. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

Students and families also help out by serving dinner to guests. Ryan Donaghue, a senior at Skowhegan High School, said he felt motivated to contribute to his community. “I like seeing people and everything (the meals) coming together,” he said.

Guests enjoyed the annual turkey day, with some packing their meals in takeout containers.

“I have been attending this dinner for five years,” Skowhegan resident Tara Retamozzo said. For her, it’s all about the community and the opportunity to socialize.

The sit-down dinner hosted people from all walks of life.

“Thanksgiving is just about bringing people together,” LeBlanc said. “To me, it’s just a good feeling to get found.”