It is that time of the year when many gather to share a meal together and give thanks. It is also a time of the year many like to give back.

For the 24th year in a row the annual Thanksgiving charity dinner at Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School is offering more than just a hot meal. The event is also serving up canned goods, clothing donations and even creating new bonds.

The Charbonneau’s having been coming to this dinner for the last four years. Mom Katrina says she enjoys the hot meal, but more than that, she likes spending the holiday with friends.

“It’s good to socialize and see people we haven’t seen in a while and gathering. It was cool to gather you know all the communities and see all the helping hands,” she said.

Most of these helpers are students from local high schools. This year more than 140 people volunteered to help out with the event.

“It’s a nice wake up call to be grateful for the things you have because not everyone has them,” said high school student Kiana Gibson.

“The best part of the day is just sitting down and talking to like total strangers and getting to know them and it’s a wonderful way to connect,” said another student Kate Vandenberg.  

Organizers estimated serving 1100 people at today’s event. Ed Mahfouz said the event does not just feed the less fortunate, but serves many people who do not have family in Ottawa.  

The event includes a turkey meal with all the fixings and pumpkin pie for dessert.

Mahfouz said it also provides grocery and clothing donations for those who need them. All the donations are collected before the event.

“The community is so generous, amazing. Everybody gives me some and then we have lots of students volunteering and getting together,” he said.