MARTINS FERRY — First Presbyterian Church of Martins Ferry hosted a free community Thanksgiving dinner Thursday.

Church member Barb Vickers said the church has been serving free Thanksgiving dinners for about 15 years. She said that an elder of the church started the program to give back to the community after his son, a chef, came home from intensive care.

“This is our first year back in-house since COVID,” Vickers said.

She said that the church gave out takeout dinners only for the past three years to keep the community safe and healthy.

Vickers said that all of the turkeys were donated, and the church’s congregation provided the desserts.

“It’s been tremendous,” she said.

Vickers said that church members had been cooking for the past two days to get everything ready. She also commended the church members and volunteers serving the public who gave up time with their families to give back.

“It’s a labor of love,” she said.

She said that the volunteers had smiles on their faces even though they were away from their families.

Vickers said that her goal was not to convert any attendees or convince them to join the church.

“We just want to promote fellowship,” she said.