Free Thanksgiving Lunch St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church Rochester. Noon to 3p

We just started talking one night, my husband and I,” Marlene said. “We just thought there’s not enough being done for our community. Somebody has to do something. A lot of people are alone and need somewhere to go on Thanksgiving.”

And that’s how a free Thanksgiving Day dinner available to all started five years ago at St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church in Rochester.

This event, which started out with 30 guests, has grown every year, now attracting approximately 150, Marlene said, who enjoy turkey, ham and all the trimmings, including pumpkin and apple pies.

The Nov. 23 dinner, she said, is open to “anybody who wants to come. Families if they want.”

After the first year, volunteers, too, were “coming out of the woodwork,” she said, to help cook, serve and clean up, as well as donating money and food.

“When people started hearing about it they asked, ‘What can we do?’”

The third year, Second Baptist Church in Rochester partnered with St. Cecilia.

Prior to serving the meal, volunteers clasp hands and say grace.

“That whole circle goes completely around the hall, that’s how many people volunteer,” Marlene said.

She and Ruth Harris, a member of the Baptist church, start working in the kitchen on Monday and continue each day through Thanksgiving.

It’s a great feeling to give back, she said.

“I’m so happy we’re getting people to come. There are so many lonely people, it’s sad.”

And people in need, too, she said.

“We had a family with six children last year or two years ago. You could see they didn’t have anything. That’s what hurts.”

This year’s meal will be served from noon to 3 p.m. in the church’s social hall. Guests are asked to use the California Avenue entrance. Reservations are not required, but requested by calling the office at 724-775-0801.