STAMFORD — For the 54th year, the Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Dinner of Stamford will provide Thanksgiving meals to residents in need. Last year, the Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Dinner delivered 225 meals.
Community members may request a meal by calling St. John’s Episcopal Church at (203) 348-2619 no later than Nov. 26, before 11 a.m.
The long-standing program began in 1971, when Eleanor Mellor, a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, sought companionship for the holiday after her two sons enlisted in the U.S. Marines. Hoping others in the congregation might also value shared fellowship, she requested permission to use the church kitchen to host a Thanksgiving meal.
The dinner has since expanded into a fully interfaith initiative, now supported by St. John’s Episcopal Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, and the First Congregational Church of Stamford. Each congregation contributes more than $1,500 annually to support the program.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Thanksgiving meal was held as a large sit-down gathering at local churches. Since 2020, meals have been delivered to ensure guest safety, and the tradition has continued uninterrupted.
The meals are once again being prepared by Ristorante Lucia of Bedford, New York, a long-time partner in the community effort.
Volunteerism remains central to the program’s success. Before the pandemic, more than 55 volunteers helped prepare, serve, and deliver meals. The program now relies on approximately 20 dedicated volunteers, many of whom return year after year, with new helpers joining as the community recognizes the importance of giving back. Volunteers are coordinated by Kathi Bacchi of St. John’s Episcopal Church, who can be reached at kbacchi1@aol.com.
