All are invited to join in for fellowship and feasting this Thanksgiving Day, as the Spirit of Oakdale hosts its traditional community dinner at the Gene Bianchi Community Center.

Now in its 21st year, the committee welcomes all community members to enjoy the fun and holiday spirit with this meal, served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There is no cost to attend and the committee always make sure there is plenty of food, everything from turkey to pumpkin pie. Various activities also help keep youngsters entertained and organizers said they are supported by a virtual ‘army’ of volunteers that help to pull off the annual event.

“It’s amazing the people you see in that kitchen,” Vickie Thompson, one of the coordinators, said of the committee and its volunteers. “From between 6 p.m. Wednesday night and then starting again at 7 a.m. Thursday morning, that kitchen is hopping.”

Everything is made fresh, with volunteers peeling pounds of potatoes to cook and mash, pre-cooked turkeys delivered by volunteers to the community center for slicing up – Thompson said it has been going on so long, the volunteers are able to work together seamlessly.

Thompson and Mickey Peabody continue to oversee the effort and said donations are always welcome; contact Thompson at 606-3893 or Peabody at 471-9859 to help out.

Thursday’s holiday meal runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., diners can stop in at any time during those hours to share in the feast.

Among the food being prepared for the holiday: more than 80 turkeys, 300 to 400 pounds of potatoes and 300 to 400 pounds of yams.

Enough, said organizers, for everyone to have a second helping … if they don’t get enough the first time around.