It started as a thought during a trip to a diner about three
years ago and evolved into an annual event that remembers those who might otherwise be forgotten on Thamnksgiving.
Jacqueline Dyber and her fiancé Richard Bivona, owner of the Manor East catering hall talked noticed how the economic climate was affecting local families from having a decent Thanksgiving dinner.
“We were just looking in the newspapers about two weeks before Thanksgiving three years ago how people were really struggling to even
have food for Thanksgiving,” Dyber, the manager at Manor East said. “We decided to do something and ever since then, [this event] has really blown up.”
Dyber, Bivona and a volunteer staff of over 300 people at
Manor East will host the fourth annual Thanksgiving dinner to feed any person in the area who doesn’t have a place to go or food to eat on Thanksgiving. “This is for the homeless, the less fortunate, the elderly, anyone who is having a tough time and can’t afford to have Thanksgiving dinner,” Dyber explained. “Everyone is welcome.”
The menu will be a traditional Thanksgiving dinner of
turkey, stuffing, potatoes, yams, fresh salad, pastries, cakes, and other
desserts. The event will also feature toys, clothes and a D.J. for entertainment.
Dinner will be served started at noon on Thanksgiving and
according to Dyber will continue until everyone is fed. Last year, Dyber estimated over 1,000 people were in attendance. “This has really blown up over the past couple of years and it’s pretty overwhelming. But we are glad.”
Dyber said there are many offers throughout the community to
donate food and other necessary items, but she explains that Bivona and the staff at Manor East supply the food and prepare everything themselves. The only assistance they welcome is people who want to volunteer their time in serving the community with dinner.
“We really don’t want donations [of food] but people may
certainly volunteer their time,” she said. “We are already at capacity with
volunteers, about 300 or so, but we won’t turn anyone away if they want to
help.”
