New record: 500 dinners served by Knights, other volunteers on Thanksgiving
by Dan McClelland
More Thanksgiving dinners were served Thursday from the Knights of Columbus kitchen here than any other time in the local fraternal organization's more than 40 year history of feeding local residents on the holiday. This year the 500 dinners mark was reached- about 50 more meals than on Thanksgivings of recent years.
There were no meals served inside the Knights hall on High Street, due to COVID-19 precautions. So all of the 500 meals were either delivered by volunteers or picked up by residents.
Each year the members of local Council 2177 begin the day before Thanksgiving preparing for the big community repast. The work continues from early morning on each Thanksgiving Day and serving begins about 11a.m.
While some of the Knights and their supporters prepare the traditional meal of turkey with all the trimmings in the kitchen, another dozen or so volunteers organize the containers for delivery. Each year members of the Tupper Lake Kiwanis Club assist with deliveries to homes around Tupper Lake with help from a cadre of other volunteers.
The operation is seamless year after year and this year was no exception.
This year saw two hours of non-stop action at the K. of C. home with the 500th meal served about 1p.m.
The tradition goes back to the late seventies when it was started by the late Dick Moeller, then the manager of the High Street clubhouse. Diane LeBlanc, who with her husband Dave have been active with the council and its operation since that time, Thursday reflected on those early years and how the event has become a mainstay of the holiday season here.
Mark Moeller, who is deputy knight at the local council, noted that many of their recipients each year are the senior folks who live at Don Smith's Apartments, Woodlands Apartments and the other senior residences here.
Asked about the new record set Thursday, he guessed it was the growing popularity their Thanksgiving event and its many follower here.
“Last year we served about 450 meals and this year saw a nice increase.”
“The group of volunteers, many of whom have been helping with the event for years, did another nice job this year!”
-And as a result 500 residents here who might otherwise not have had the opportunity for a home-cooked turkey dinner with all the fixings got to enjoy a festive meal- thanks to the Knights and their many supporters here.
A few of the early morning cooks at Thursday's traditional Thanksgiving meal at the Knights of Columbus hall kitchen before that's day rush: from left- Steve Richer, Diane LeBlanc, Mark Moeller and Raymond Skelling. (Dan McClelland photo)