RICHMOND

What is the recipe for a memorable Thanksgiving dinner? For the members of Holy Family Parish at Holy Trinity in Richmond, the recipe includes 360 pounds of turkey, 60 pounds of ham, 130 pounds of potatoes and a gigantic dollop of kindness.

Each year since 2011, church members have prepared a meal to share with community. Only 80 people attended that first year, and Sandy Marner, the dinner’s organizer, wondered if the meal should continue. But attendance at the dinner grew each year, and in 2023, 330 people shared their Thanksgiving Day with others in the community.

The dinner is the result of weeks of planning, but is especially labor intensive during the week of Thanksgiving. On Tuesday, the church kitchen was abuzz with activity as workers peeled, cooked and mashed 130 pounds of potatoes and arranged tables and chairs for 250 people. The next day, workers returned as they prepared the stuffing and finalized other details for the big meal.

Thanksgiving Day started at 6 a.m. as the first pans of stuffing went into the oven. Meanwhile, at the fire station, volunteers gathered to help Sweeting’s Catering finish the turkey and ham by 11 a.m. Thirty-five community members worked to finish preparation and serve the meal.

After the guests left, the workers sat down to share their meal. They smiled as they reminisced about the day. The meal was over, the 25 pounds of noodles and the 45 pies were gone, but the joy of sharing with others remained with them as they began to plan for Thanksgiving 2024.