Volunteers resume Thanksgiving Day dinner for seniors

Nov. 11, 2022  |  By Waterbury Roundabout 

The annual Thanksgiving Day dinner for local seniors is served at the Waterbury Area Senior Center on Stowe Street. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the annual Thanksgiving Dinner for local seniors returns to the Waterbury Area Senior Center on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24.

Organized and hosted by volunteers the meal is served free of charge and reservations for dinners in-person or takeout are being taken now. 

Now in its 18th year, the annual event began in 2003 led by Albert Caron, owner of Waterbury Service Center. 

The dinner, which in past years has had up to 100 attendees, has become a tradition as a way to thank its seniors for making the community a caring and supportive place, Caron said. 

The dinner will be held at noon and anyone over the age of 65 in Waterbury or the nearby communities the center serves may bring up to four family members who will also receive dinner at no charge. In addition to Waterbury, the center’s programs including Meals on Wheels serve seniors in Duxbury, Bolton, Moretown and Middlesex. 

Reservations for dining at the senior center or take-out meals can be made by calling the Waterbury Area Senior Center at 802-244-1234 by Monday, Nov. 21. 

Gifts for seniors at a past Thanksgiving dinner. Photo courtesy Marge Gulyas

Organizers say reservations are key. “Unfortunately, we are not able to provide deliveries of meals this year outside of the senior center or accommodate walk-ins,” Caron said. 

Volunteers put on the entire event from decorating the dining room to preparing and serving food to then distributing post-dinner gifts to the seniors in attendance. Organizers say they collect a variety of gift items including gift cards to local businesses that seniors can choose from in a Yankee swap-type exchange after dinner. 

Any businesses or individuals who would like to make monetary or other donations to support the dinner and gifts may contact Caron at 802-244-7202 or Marge Gulyas at 802-793-0879.