Free Southern Tier Thanksgiving Dinners

Collecting food for the needy seems greater every year.  For a number of years, I would volunteer by time to help out at the YMCA free Thanksgiving Dinner in Johnson City and other events that could use assistance around this time of the year.

Binghamton:  November 26th will mark the 20th year of the Binghamton High School's Annual  Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner.  Preparations are already underway for the event. The dinner will start at 11:30 am to 2 pm at the Binghamton High School's two main cafeterias on Main Street in Binghamton.  Last year, over 1,500 people came out for a Thanksgiving dinner.

Newark Valley:  The First United Methodist, St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church and the Newark Valley United of Christ will present a Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day 1-3pm at the  Newark Valley United Church of Christ on 32 South Main Street in Newark Valley.  The church is looking for volunteers to help prepare for the meals.  People who wish to attend must call for reservations by November 23rd.  You can call the NVUCC at (607) 642-5520 or St. John's at (607) 687-1068. Eat-in, take-out, and delivery are all offered for the free dinner.  Delivery will be within a 10-15 mile radius.

Oxford:  The 31st Annual Free Thanksgiving Day Dinner will be served from Noon-1pm on Thanksgiving Day for the Oxford and McDonough communities.  The dinner takes place at St. Joseph's Church at 3 Scott Street.  Reservations must be made before Monday November 23rd by calling Sue Hubbard at (607) 843-9635 or Barb Lawton at (607) 843-9329.  Deliveries to Oxford area shut-ins can also be made.  Free will donations will be accepted at the NBT Bank of Oxford.  Volunteers are needed to assist in serving and in the kitchen.  You can call Audrey Johnson for more information on volunteering at (607) 843-6249.

The HAWK salutes all area volunteers, students and organizations that make these free dinners possible.  Let us all give thanks for making our community strong this Thanksgiving.