By Ryan Smith

MEADVILLE TRIBUNE

A warm exchange of smiles and conversations, holiday music filling the room and a veritable cornucopia of delectable, homemade fare on the table and cooks in turkey hats — Thanksgiving dinner at the Meadville YWCA.

Sure, it’s about the food, and lots of it. But really, the annual community dinner aims at the heart of what the holiday is all about: Togetherness.

“It’s a good time,” said Mike Wellman as he carried yet another large batch of hot stuffing toward a serving table Thursday. “A couple just thanked me for helping out, and said they were having a good time and enjoying the food.”

The 18-year-old Meadville Area Senior High student said he decided to make volunteering at this year’s dinner his senior-year project. He’s learned, he said, that “it feels good to help out.”

And, he observed about the annual feast, “it’s kind of miraculous how it happens.”

This year, that miracle was brought about by close to 50 volunteers, according to organizer Bill Foster. Through their efforts and generous community donations, he said the YWCA was able to prepare and serve 21 turkeys and a bounty of traditional fixings to more than 200 guests Thursday.

Another 100-plus dinners were delivered to people around Crawford County who for one reason or another weren’t able to make it the Chestnut Street center.

But after 30 years of heading-up the feast, Foster said he’s come to realize that it’s not about the numbers.

“Numbers don’t mean anything to me,” he said Thursday. The dinner “means a lot to me, because I know all the people out here aren’t alone today. That’s what it’s all about.”

While some may consider the gathering as an event just for older people or those who can’t afford a meal, that’s not the case, according to organizers.

Rather, it’s for anyone and everyone who may be alone and wants to share good food and fellowship during the holiday.

“I wish the room was empty,” said Foster. “Then I’d know everyone has somewhere to go.”