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Community Center Serves Early Thanksgiving Meal

WILLIAMSPORT — By serving up a Thanksgiving meal on Monday, volunteers at a community center in Lycoming County hope families have a full plate at least o...

WILLIAMSPORT -- By serving up a Thanksgiving meal on Monday, volunteers at a community center in Lycoming County hope families have a full plate at least once this week.

Volunteers quickly piled plates with turkey, mashed potatoes, "string beans, corn, and stuffing,” said Clara Smith.

Dishes are shipped out and gobbled up at the West End Christian Community Center in Williamsport.

"The food here is fantastic. It really is," said Debbie Deremer from Williamsport.

Lunch time and days before the actual holiday, dozens of families crowded into the basement of the community center for a free Thanksgiving meal.

"I can't believe how many people are here. I didn't know they would get that many people but, yeah, that's awesome,” said Jynelle Jasper from Williamsport.

"I have food stamps and I’m raising my two grandchildren, so with them being out of school, it helps with the lunches every day," said Kristine Kibler from Williamsport.

"We started with eight people and we haven't looked back and each year we get busier and busier," said Smith.

"The reason we are serving it today is there are a lot of other organizations that may also offer an actual Thanksgiving dinner," said Todd Penman.

Once families finish that Thanksgiving meal downstairs, they are welcome to come upstairs and check out the community center's annual toy drive. Folks tell Newswatch 16 it's just in time for the next holiday.

"Not too early, never too early to start. It's OK to start the day after Christmas for the following year," said Carol Koch.

After her meal, Carol Koch searched for presents for her niece. The toy sale also helps people including Koch stay on budget.

"You know that don't have a lot of money for clothes for their kids and the free meals and everything. It's a lot of hard work, but they do a really good job,” said Koch.

The West End Christian Community Center served a Thanksgiving dinner to well over 400 people. The center's toy sale will continue into December.

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