Branford military veterans and Branford senior citizens, as well as those residents in town who may be experiencing need, can pre-register between Monday, Nov. 18 and Monday, Nov. 25 for a free take-out Thanksgiving dinner for the holiday from Branford’s Parthenon Diner. This is the fifth year in a row for the collaborative effort.

Parthenon Diner’s delicious, free turkey dinners are once again being made available to Branford vets, seniors, and residents in need thanks to a $5,000 sponsorship program that teams Parthenon co-owners John Sousoulas and Kosta Sousoulas with program organizer and donor Andrew M. Amendola, an East Haven attorney, and local community donors.

To receive a take-out Thanksgiving dinner, participants need to submit their request in advance by calling the diner at 203-481-0333 or by stopping in to register at the Parthenon Diner at 374 East Main Street between Monday, Nov. 18 and Monday, Nov. 25. Callers should ask for the manager or owner and provide their name, Branford address, and telephone number for verification. Thanksgiving meals prepared for heating up at home will be available to pick up at the diner on Wednesday, Nov. 27 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Together with Parthenon Diner Restaurant, donors providing a total of $5,000 in financing for the Thanksgiving program include Amendola, Don Herzog and Jesse Herzog of East River Energy, Mike and Vin Giordano of Branford Building Supplies, Ryan Torello, Richlin Home and Auto, Rich Ammerling, and an anonymous donor.

Amendola also raised an additional $5,000 from additional donors to put on the same type of Thanksgiving program at Twin Pines Diner in East Haven, with assistance from Twin Pines owner Jim Triantis.

Amendola started the free holiday meal program at both diners during Thanksgiving in 2020. While it was instituted that year to assist during the pandemic, Amendola’s intent at the time was to make it the annual program that it has become. He also went on to develop similar programs at both diners for Christmas and Easter, which have also continued through the years.

Amendola said he’s grateful to the diner owners and donors who have generously continued to support the programs annually.

“I thank the donors and the diners for putting on a great dinner for these individuals,” said Amendola.

As the restaurant enters its 40th year in business in Branford, Kostas Sousoulas said community involvement has always been a pillar of Parthenon’s success.

“Community has been at the forefront of our business since the beginning, and we’re just honored to help as many people as we can,” Kostas said.