After a quarter-century of sit-down turkey and stuffing, meals, this year's community Thanksgiving Day Dinner will be take-out only.
Kevin Neary, a member of the committee who, along with Ethel Benninger, has been helping put the free event together since 1987, said this year they ran into problems with finding a place to host the meal.
Instead, he said, they're expanding home-delivery efforts.
"We really don't have a choice," he said. "We know the need is there and we didn't want to let people down. We'll still be providing a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings to anyone who wants one. Maybe we can come up with some different options next year. Maybe it's time for new people with new ideas to take over."
Anyone who wants a home-delivered meal can contact the Office for the Aging at 295-2001.
That's also the number to call to donate food-everything from turkeys to pies is needed.
Monetary contributions can be sent made payable to the Thanksgiving Day Dinner, PO Box 177, Richmondville, NY 12149.
Mr. Neary said he's unsure whether they'll need additional drivers, but volunteers of all sorts are always welcome; FBLA members from Cobleskill-Richmonville and Schoharie will be helping with the cooking at the RSS site in Schoharie, where senior meals are prepared year-round.
In addition to the home-delivered meals, Mr. Neary said the committee has offered to share donations with the Blenheim Thanksgiving Day Dinner, begun a few years ago and set for Saturday, November 23, at the Blenheim Firehouse.
They'd also consider supporting any other organization interested in holding its own dinner.
"What scares me this year, is there's already a lot more need at the local food banks," Mr. Neary said. "Changes in food stamps are making things tough. Everyone deserves a Thanksgiving."