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GLOVERSVILLE - Participation at the annual community Thanksgiving dinner keeps growing each year and Thursday was no exception, organizers said.

The dinner, which served about 1,200 last year, served around 1,500 this year, volunteers said. People could have a meal delivered or sit down and eat at the hall of the Holy Trinity Church, formerly the St. Mary of Mount Carmel Church, on South Main Street.

The number of volunteers grew this year, from about 20 to around 30, said volunteer Bob Seelow, pastor of the New Covenant Community Church in Johnstown. Seelow said he's been volunteering at the dinner for about 10 years.

"I volunteer because I believe in God and I believe this is what he would have us do," he said.

Seelow and fellow volunteer Ron Briggs of Gloversville said they see a big need for the community dinner in Gloversville and Fulton County.

"The community needs the help," Briggs said. "As a member of the community, it's my responsibility to help."

Briggs said the bulk of the meals served were deliveries.

Maria Lewis of Fort Hunter was in line to get some meals for herself, her family and one for an elderly, housebound neighbor.

"She really appreciates it. She doesn't have anyone. All her family moved away," she said. "It really is a worthwhile thing."

Joan Donnelly, wife of the late Jim Donnelly, who had organized the dinner for years but died in September, was volunteering answering phones. She said her husband would be happy to see the surge in volunteerism. She said while her husband used to run the dinner, in the wake of his death, it has become a group effort. She credited Patricia Bender of Johnstown for doing a lot of the organizational work.

"There really is a need for this," she said. "Especially with so many people out of work."

Lisa Benton and Paul Hardy of Gloversville were at the dinner with their three children. They said they come to the dinner every year, and it has become a tradition.

As for the best part of the meal, both agreed the turkey and the stuffing are their favorite dishes, but they revised their answers a few seconds later.

They liked all of the meal.

Kayleigh Karutis covers Gloversville news. She can be reached at gloversville@leaderherald.com