Whether they were there for the first time or the sixth year in a row, as a volunteer or simply to partake of the food, those gathered for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at New Bloomfield United Methodist Church Thursday all agreed that the best part of the annual event was the ability to enjoy good food with good friends.
Margaret Clardy, of New Bloomfield, said she has attended the event almost every year since it started for just those reasons.
"I come because it's very good food, and just to be out," said Clardy, who contributed a pie. "We usually play cards in the afternoon. My favorite part is that it's extra-good food, and you don't have to cook."
Her friend Betty Crawford, also of New Bloomfield, was attending for the first time.
"I belong to this church and Tom (Levin, who started the event) does a fantastic job with dinner," Crawford said. "I'm not having mine until Sunday, so I thought I'd come out with my friends."
Beverly Gudausky, New Bloomfield, said she has been volunteering with the Community Thanksgiving for the past seven years because she sees the need for it.
"People need it more. Some people just need to be with people, and there's some that have family that come because they don't want to cook," Gudausky said. "It's for anybody and everybody. I like seeing the people come in and talk to people they don't know. It's just enjoyable."