CHICOPEE – The Knights of Columbus Council 4044′s Thanksgiving dinner, an annual event that feeds thousands of families, is returning.
The free dinner was put on hold for three years.
The dinner was not held for two of those years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It missed another year because David Sarrasin, executive chef at the Castle of Knights and a member of the council, had difficulty acquiring enough turkeys.
Volunteers expect to serve between 1,000 and 1,200 people at the banquet facility on Memorial Drive, said Steven Dubreuil, deputy grand knight of Council 4044.
In addition to the dinner, volunteers will deliver Thanksgiving meals to families in Chicopee, Holyoke and South Hadley.
Dubreuil said he expects volunteers to deliver between 3,000 and 3,500 meals on Thanksgiving, which include turkey, squash, stuffing, potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce, along with cookies.
“It’s just an incredible feeling to be able to do this for our community,” he said. The dinner is approaching its 30th year.
The Knights will receive a donation of 50 turkeys from state Sen. Adam Gomez on behalf of the Chicopee legislative delegation, which includes himself, state Sen. Jacob Oliveira and state Reps. Shirley B. Arriaga, Michael Finn and Patricia Duffy, all Democrats.
Gomez said that considering the support he and other legislators get while they’re on the job, it’s important for them to give back, especially during the holiday season.
Volunteers will prepare Thanksgiving meals from Nov. 20 to Nov. 22. Thanksgiving is Nov. 23.
Dubreuil said he expects to get help from 150 volunteers. To register as a volunteer, call 413-612-4218.
“They can let us know if they want to prep, serve, or clean up,” he said.
The Thanksgiving meal will be served from noon to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day at the Knight’s Banquet Hall at 1599 Memorial Drive.
