Military veterans and East Haven senior citizens are encouraged to sign up to receive a free, take-out Thanksgiving Day dinner this year from Twin Pines Diner, thanks the return of a sponsorship program that teams local community contributors with Twin Pines owner Jim Triantis. Meal registration opens Thursday, Nov. 11 and continues through Tuesday, Nov. 23.

This is the second year that Triantis and program organizer Andrew M. Amendola, an East Haven attorney, have coordinated to provide pre-ordered Thanksgiving meals for veterans and the town’s seniors. Triantis said other residents experiencing exceptional need may also call to register for a meal.

As Thanksgiving is also one of his diner’s busiest days, Triantis only asks those wishing to receive a meal contact the diner in advance, and no later than Nov. 23. To qualify to receive a free Thanksgiving dinner from Twin Pines Diner, military veterans, East Haven senior citizens, and those residents experiencing need are asked to call 203-468-6887 beginning Nov. 11, ask for the manager or owner, and provide your name, address, and telephone number for verification. Registered recipients will be given a pre-arranged time to pick up their meals on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 25, at the East Haven diner.

Together with Twin Pines Diner, contributors providing a total of $5,000 in financing for the program include attorney Andrew M. Amendola, Mark DiLungo of DFG Electric Company, Ken Horton of Horton Enterprises, Albert DeLucia of Porto Funeral Home, Neil Angelini of East Haven Dunkin’ Donuts, Don Herzog and Jesse Herzog of East River Energy, and Louis Porrello.

Amendola also raised an additional $5,000 from Branford friends to put on the same type of Thanksgiving program at the Parthenon Diner Restaurant in Branford, with generous assistance from Parthenon owner John Sousoulas.

Amendola started the program at both diners during Thanksgiving 2020. He then went on to develop similar programs at both sites for Christmas 2020 and Easter 2021. While the idea may have been born during the pandemic, Amendola’s plan, from the start, was to institute it as annual event, he said.

“Regardless of the pandemic, people still are in great need of help,” said Amendola.

Amendola said both Triantis and Sousoulas have also offered to cover any extra costs, should more dinners need to be provided than anticipated.

While restaurants are experiencing rising costs and navigating changes in supply and shortages, Triantis said he is happy to continue to work with Amendola to provide the Thanksgiving meals again this year. Based on last year’s response, Triantis said he’s planning to provide between 350 to 400 free meals, and more if needed.

Twin Pines will provide each recipient with a $16 Thanksgiving dinner special that includes soup, salad, turkey dinner with all the trimmings, and dessert.

“We don’t just give them dinner, we give them everything,” said Triantis.

The free meals will be packed and ready to be picked at a time arranged by the diner with those have called in advance to register for a free meal on Thanksgiving Day.

“The day is extremely busy for us, but we don’t them to wait. I want to give good service, like I do to my regular customers—very fast service, everything nice and warm, the way it’s supposed to be,” said Triantis.

Twin Pines Diner is located at 34 Main Street in East Haven, where Triantis has enjoyed being among his loyal patrons for four decades, and counting, including on Thanksgiving Day.

To qualify to receive a free Thanksgiving dinner from Twin Pines Diner, military veterans, East Haven senior citizens, and residents in need are asked to call now (and no later than Tuesday, Nov. 23) at 203-468-6887, ask for the manager or owner, and provide your name, address, and telephone number for verification.