Last week marks the 6th annual St. Augustine Thanksgiving Community Dinner. All of the food was donated by local vendors, prepared and served by volunteers and was free to the public.

Richard Gorres heads up a committee that plans the dinner each year. He said last year they served a total of 171 dinners but this year they provided 270 meals that includes the one seating, take outs and deliveries.

Sal Timperro, of Sal’s Place, cooked 20 turkeys and Mark Elia provided cooked hams.

Police Lt. James Janso said his department donates food and also, “does pickups and transports for anyone who needs a ride here. We picked up about five people today and delivered three meals to people who could not make it here.”

Janso said the department loves this event and they do all they can to help where needed.

“You see all these volunteers; it’s amazing,” he said. “It’s such a good time.”

Chef Mark Schmitt has manned the kitchen for all of the dinners but thanked everyone who volunteered to help.

“It was a great group effort by the committee and the event is growing, we’re excited about it and we had a great turnout,” he said.

Lloyd Detective Anthony Ventura and Officer Kathleen Burns were on hand for the dinner. Ventura said they would be giving rides home, with Burns adding, “I think it’s blessing to have an event like this in our town.”

Fr. Salvatore Cordaro, Pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in New Patlz, attended the dinner for the first time at the invitation of Rich Gorres.

“I’ve known Richie and Becky for awhile so I thought I would show up and support him and be with the people and just have a good meal and plant the seed (for next year).”

Fr. Cordaro said his parish, along with St. Augustine and parishes in Gardner, Plattekill, Marlborough and Ellenville form a “cluster” within the Archdiocese.

“We want to try to work together more and be present for one another,” he said. “Now it is seeing where we can collaborate and where we can help one another. It’s informal now but down the road who knows what the future holds.”

Fr. Cordaro said this Thanksgiving dinner is the essence of true Christianity.

“It’s a beautiful thing seeing people serving one another and being together. It is something we can use, especially in this world,” he said.

Former St. Augustine’s Pastor Fr. Thomas Lutz came to the dinner.

“It’s a very special initiative here at St. Augustine’s and I was happy as Pastor to participate and happy to continue to participate even though I am teaching at Our Lady of Lourdes High School now. I make sure to stop in each year and pick up the rolls that the Bruderhof Community bakes for us.”

Fr. Lutz pointed out that, “all the churches and all the community recognize the importance of looking after those who are struggling in our society and there are lots of families that are. It’s a great event and I’m glad to see the tradition continue and serve the people that are in need. It’s nice to have a place where they can come and enjoy and have a good meal and not worry about the expenses and just enjoy the fellowship.”

James Morse has played guitar at the dinner since it started.

“I do this because I want to make people happy and if I can make people sing along with me and have their hearts warmed for a few moments that makes everything for me perfect,” he said.