NORTHAMPTON — Manna Community Kitchen’s annual Thanksgiving dinner will be served at Edwards Church this Thursday, marking a return to in-person dining for the first time since 2019 and to the spirit of bringing people together for the holiday.
The kitchen had changed to only delivery and takeout services once the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, but reopened its doors two weeks ago to welcome members of the community looking for a warm meal, including those who face the prospect of food insecurity.
“It’s a nice chance to see our guests and say hello, and get to spend some time with them,” said Kaitlyn Ferrari, the development director for Manna. “An hour before our meal starts we offer some coffee, so we get a chance to connect and even tell them we have a Thanksgiving meal in person this year.”
The kitchen has planned to serve around 50 turkeys this year at the dinner. The turkeys were donated by Konstantine Sierros of Filos Greek Taverna, who has provided them in previous years for the occasion. In addition, sides of stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted butternut squash, corn pudding and green beans will be served, along with pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting for dessert.
To ensure that meals are served fresh and warm, Manna partners with Smith College to use the kitchen space of the campus’ Chase-Duckett Dining Hall to prepare the turkeys. This year, Smith allowed the kitchen early access so that they could continue their regular in-person dining services while prepping for Thanksgiving, according to Manna head cook Lee Anderson.
“What we’re trying to not do is interfere with the fact that people have to be fed today,” Anderson said. “I don’t know what the Thanksgiving meal would be without that partnership with Smith.”
Anderson also said he was glad to be able to resume in-person services this year, as it has a chance to give some of the more vulnerable members of the city’s population a sense of togetherness and for the kitchen to talk with people on how to improve their services.
“Our flock knew to expect to be together on Thanksgiving because there maybe was a little fear of people becoming used to just being alone, which is a horrible dynamic,” he said. “We can provide for you better if we know you.”
Anderson said he expects to serve somewhere around 120 people for the dinner at Edwards Church, which is from 12-2 p.m.
Takeout and delivery services for Thanksgiving dinners remain as viable options for people who wish to do so. Those wishing to order a Thanksgiving meal may still do so by visiting www.mannanorthampton.org or by calling at 413-887-0500. Deliveries serve Northampton and surrounding towns of Hatfield, Williamsburg, Southampton, Easthampton and Westhampton.
In addition to the Manna event, two separate community Thanksgiving dinners will be held in Amherst.
On Wednesday from 12-3 p.m., the Amherst Survival Center will stage its meal at its 138 Sunderland Road site.
Free and open to all, the event this year is titled “Celebrating Native American Heritage & Giving Thanks for Our Community.” Food will be served in the center’s dining room, with sit-down and takeout options.
Another organization, Not Bread Alone, a program of the Center for Human Development, will have its meal served at First Congregational Church, 165 Main St in Amherst.
As at the Survival Center, there will be sit-down and to-go options, said program supervisor Bob Stover. Guests should enter via the back entrance to the church.
Volunteers will start at 9 a.m., serve the meal at about 1 p.m., and finish up by 4 or 4:30 pm. They are advised to bring a mask or face covering to wear while preparing the food, setting up or doing cleanup work.
