Regina Galliego comes back for the gravy - her favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal.
But more than dressings and toppings, she comes for the sense of belonging and community she gets every time she walks in the door and sees old acquaintances and friendly faces at the annual Friends of the Poor Thanksgiving celebration dinner. She has been attending the event for about 10 years.
"It makes me feel at home once a year," Ms. Galliego said.
More than 1,100 people ate a feast of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and various sides in the cozy ballroom and hallway of the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Templeon Tuesday, sitting at tables adorned with candles and flowers, and a jazz band serenading them with holiday tunes at the 36th annual dinner.
Sister Ann Walsh, I.H.M., director of Friends of the Poor, thanked generous donors who helped make the dinner possible and commended the community members for supporting one another.
"It is just such an outpouring of care, concern and love," Sister Walsh said.
Serving the dinner guests were hundreds of volunteers from local businesses, scout troops, the American Red Cross and religious groups. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, state Sen. John Blake, U.S. Rep.-elect Matt Cartwright, Mayor Chris Doherty and Bishop Joseph Bambera, of the Diocese of Scranton, also greeted the crowd and helped serve meals.
As strangers, friends and family chatted and laughed over plates heaped with food and steaming coffee cups, Sister Walsh brought to everyone's attention a Bible verse to sum up the evening of community, unity and giving.
"Saint Paul was right. Love never fails," she said.
Contact the writer: ksullivan@timesshamrock.com, @ksullivanTT on Twitter