For the 15th year in a row, the East Haven Rotary Club will be providing East Haven residents a free, full-course Thanksgiving dinner available for pickup or delivery at the East Haven Senior Center on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 25, from 10 until 11 a.m. In addition to a turkey dinner, the Rotary will provide all the traditional holiday fixings, including a dessert.

Boston Market will package the dinners for the Rotary, which will distribute the meals at the Senior center or even have them delivered if transportation is not available.

East Haven residents in need who are intending to partake in the holiday meal are asked to contact Rotarian Ashley Lesco at 203-208-8212 or Ehrotarygivesthanks@gmail.com no later than Friday, Nov. 19. Residents must indicate the number of meals needed and if they are requesting a delivery rather than picking up the food at the Senior Center. All meal deliveries will begin at 10 a.m. or must be picked up from the Senior Center, 91 Taylor Avenue, no later than 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.

With the continuing economic climate, many more families may find themselves in need of some type of assistance and the Rotary is encouraging residents to feel comfortable to participate in this program. Last year, the Rotary provided more dinners than ever before. In addition, due to the continuing pandemic, the club has again consulted with the East Shore District Health Department and will adhere to all of its suggested distribution protocols to keep the both the recipients and the Rotarians safe.

“On behalf of the Rotary Club, I would like to extend our gratitude to Boston Market as they do all of the cooking for these Thanksgiving dinners and are very accommodating. Their cheerful employees are extremely helpful as they play a vital role in the success of this community service project,” stated Rotarian Beth Capotorto, co-chairperson of the Thanksgiving dinner committee.

With the increasing needs of the community, especially this year, monetary donations are greatly appreciated. Anyone wishing to donate may also contact any East Haven Rotarian or mail checks payable to East Haven Rotary Club, Inc. “Thanksgiving Donation,” P.O. Box 120598 East Haven, CT 06512. or visit the Rotary website www.easthavenrotary.org under Donate Today choose Thanksgiving Dinners to make a monetary donation. The Rotary is an approved 501c3 corporation.

The East Haven Rotary Club is now celebrating its 82nd anniversary as it was founded in 1939. Since that time, Rotarians from East Haven have been involved in thousands of projects helping the residents of not just East Haven but around the world.