Volunteers to serve up tradition
The Daily Mail
Nov. 16, 2009

CATSKILL — For the fourth year, volunteers will be ready on Thanksgiving to serve a traditional, home-cooked meal to dozens of hungry Catskillians at the Washington Irving Senior Center in Catskill.

Center Director Anne Marie Moran said the meal offers a change for Greene County residents to get together and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal in a friendly environment.

“It is about having a Thanksgiving,” she said, “and being able to get together.”

Service of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, yams, salad, rolls and dessert begins at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 26.

Last year about 200 people took advantage of the community dinner, Moran said, adding that there would be enough food for anyone who came through the door.

Meals were delivered to 90 home-bound seniors last year.

“Every year, the number goes up, which is a great thing,” she said.

Although the meal is served at the senior center and the majority of the guests are senior citizens, Moran said entire families spend their Thanksgivings at the community meal.

The dinner is prepared and served by volunteers including Catskill residents, business managers, public officials and students from Columbia-Greene Community College.

Moran said this year’s meal will be difficult, however, because one long-time volunteer, Victor Armstead, will be missing from the event. Armstead, who was killed in a car accident in March, was always involved with dinners. She said several of Armstead’s friends would be spending their Thanksgiving serving the community as a tribute to Armstead.

The meal is made possible through cash donations and food contributions made by residents as well as by local restaurants and businesses.

The combined efforts benefit everybody, she said.

“They are helping out without breaking their banks,” she said. “It works out so great.”

Moran said walk-ins are welcome but anyone wishing to place a reservation or to request delivery to a homebound individual can call the senior center at (518) 943-1343.