If there was ever a time Schoharie County needed to sit down and give thanks over turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, it would be this Thanksgiving.
With that in mind, the Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner Committee is gearing up for a record crowd.
Kevin Neary, one of the event's longtime organizers, said he expects volunteers to cook up, serve, and deliver twice the number of Thanksgiving meals they have in past years-likely 350-400 sit-down and takeout dinners.
"There's no question that because of Hurricane Irene, more people are going to be turning to us this Thanksgiving," Mr. Neary said."
"I wouldn't be surprised to see our numbers double."
With that in mind, the effort has expanded to two locations.
Takeouts will be handled from the Best Western in Cobleskill and the sit-down meal will be at the Holiday Inn Express in Schoharie, where the Cobleskill-Richmondville and Schoharie FBLAs have already signed on to help.
"We get a lot of help from groups like that and from the community," Mr. Neary said. "We couldn't do it without them. And that's what this is all about: Community."
The sit-down dinner at the Holiday Inn Express will begin at 1pm on Thanksgiving.
Like the takeouts and home-delivered meals, it's free, but you need to call the Office for the Aging at 295-2001 to let them know you're coming or want a meal.
Transportation to the dinner is also available by calling the OFA at the same number.
Donations in the form of checks can be made out and mailed to: Thanksgiving Day Dinner, PO Box 177, Richmondville, NY 12149.
Donations of food-"Turkeys are always good," Mr. Neary said-can also be arranged by calling the OFA.
This will be the 24th year for the Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner.