Free Thanksgiving Day dinners across LI

While many Long Islanders dive into turkey and trimmings Thursday, a host of hunger organizations, relief agencies, churches, restaurants, civic groups and others will be offering free Thanksgiving dinners to the neediest in the region — including, this year, those victimized by superstorm Sandy.

Many organizations that traditionally serve free Thanksgiving dinner expect the need to swell this year, because of the aftermath of Sandy. Many residents have been displaced. Many have no way to prepare a Thanksgiving meal. And many more organizations than usual are offering free meals.

“This year we all have a lot to be thankful for and, more than ever, we must not forget those that may not be as lucky,” said Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos, who is co-sponsoring a dinner in Massapequa with the Latin/African Americans Chaplains Association and Manor East Caterers.

Island Park Village Mayor James Ruzicka, expressing thanks for nearly 1,000 free meals that will be served today at Sacred Heart Parish Center to residents of Island Park and two surrounding communities, said in a statement: “For thousands of people this may be one of the most difficult holidays any of them have ever faced.”

Here is a partial list of some places where Thanksgiving meals will be served:

NASSAU COUNTY
EAST ROCKAWAY
St. Raymond of Penyafort Church, 263 Atlantic Ave., noon to 3 p.m.
Bethany Congregational Church, 100 Main St., 1 to 4 p.m.

FREEPORT
Freeport Recreation Center, 130 E. Merrick Rd., 5 to 9 p.m.

GLEN COVE
North Shore INN, 7 Continental Place, noon.

HEMPSTEAD
The Mary Brennan INN Soup Kitchen, 100 Madison Ave., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

ISLAND PARK
Sacred Heart Parish Center, 301 Long Beach Rd., 1 p.m. for residents of Island Park Village and Harbor Isle, 4 p.m. for residents of Barnum Isle, served by Carlyle on the Green.

LONG BEACH
Young Israel of Long Beach, 120 Long Beach Blvd., 4 to 7 p.m.
Serata South Restaurant, 777 W. Beech St., noon to 4 p.m. for Long Beach residents.
Long Beach Ice Arena, 150 W. Bay Dr., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., served by Swingbellys BBQ.

MASSAPEQUA
Manor East Caterers, 201 Jerusalem Ave., noon to 8 p.m.

OCEANSIDE
Oceanside High School Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner, 3160 Skillman Ave., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

PORT WASHINGTON
La Piccola Liguria, 47 Shore Rd., noon to 3 p.m. (Call for reservations.)

SUFFOLK COUNTY
AMITYVILLE
First United Methodist Church, 25 Broadway, 3 p.m. RSVP at 631-264-0152 by Thursday morning.

BAY SHORE
Pronto of Long Island with the Suffolk County Hispanic Advisory Board and the Calvary Church of Holbrook, 128 Pine Aire Dr., 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
AMVETS 76, 44 W. Main St., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

BABYLON VILLAGE
Monsoon Asian Kitchen and Lounge, 48 Deer Park Ave., 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Babylon residents. Call in advance: 631-587-4400.

CENTRAL ISLIP
Knights of Columbus, 62 Carlton Ave., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

COPIAGUE
Circle of Love Ministry, 20 Reith St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

LAKE GROVE
Thee Gather INN, 792 Hawkins Ave., 1:30 p.m.

LINDENHURST
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 36 E. John St., 1 p.m.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Knights of Columbus, 400 S. Broadway, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (RSVP was requested by Nov. 20.)
Chateau La Mer, 845 S. Wellwood Ave., seatings at noon, 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. for Lindenhurst residents. (RSVP was requested by Nov. 19.)
Fireside Saloon, 216 W. Montauk Hwy., noon.

MEDFORD
Harrison Hale Community Cafe, 61 Shirley Lane, noon to 3 p.m.

ROCKY POINT
Invited INN, 716 Rte. 25A, 1 p.m.

RONKONKOMA
AMVETS Post 48, 115 Church St., Ronkonkoma, noon to 4 p.m.

WYANDANCH
Bread of Life Fellowship, 1345 Straight Path, 2 to 5 p.m.

Compiled by Aisha Al-Muslim, Jennifer Barrios, Denise M. Bonilla, Robert Brodsky, Sophia Chang, Scott Eidler, Lauren R. Harrison, Nicole Fuller, Emily Ngo, Candice Ruud, Nicholas Spangler, Joie Tyrrell and Patrick Whittle