Caring, Sharing, and Giving Thanks in our Community
Annual Equinox Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner
In 1969, a small group of community and religious leaders, students, and social workers held a Thanksgiving dinner for 200 college students who were not going home for the holiday and would have been alone. This marked the beginning of the Capital District's largest and longest-running holiday tradition. Today, the Annual Equinox Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner serves more than 8,000 of our lonely, homebound, or homeless neighbors.
An early Equinox Thanksgiving Dinner
This event would not be possible without the help of more than 3,000 volunteers who take roles in leadership, coordination, cooking, serving, delivering meals, and clean-up. In 2009, approximately 500 meals were served at a sit down dinner at the First Presbyterian Church in Albany. The remaining 8,500 meals were prepared at the Empire State Plaza and delivered by volunteers to individuals who live within a 40-mile radius of Albany.
Ingredients for the dinner includes 10,400 pounds of turkey, 2,000 pounds of ham, 2,800 pounds of yams, 940 pies, 625 dozen dinner rolls, 48 gallons of cider and 19,500 pieces of fruit. Candles, flowers, table linens, and hand-made centerpieces from local school children adorn the dining room tables.
The Equinox Thanksgiving Community Dinner is funded entirely by generous donations from local businesses, civic groups, and private citizens. Cash, food, trucks, tables and chairs, cell phones, serving dishes, linens, aprons, soap, towels, and advertising are matched by the valuable help of our volunteers. Equinox is the coordinating and sponsoring agency. All surplus donations are used to assist needy families throughout the year.
Want to get involved?
Call Equinox Thanksgiving Dinner Hotline at 434-0131.
All monetary, food, and in-kind donations
are tax-deductible
General Information:
- Park in "V" Visitor Parking Lot.
- All adults in the vehicle must have identification for State Police.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes that can get soiled.
- If possible, bring a baseball cap to avoid wearing a hair net. Equinox hats will be available for $10.
- If possible, bring a clean, over-the-head apron.
- Leave personal belongings at home or in the car.
- Go to Concourse level and locate Equinox registration table.
On Thanksgiving Day:
- Parking will be more challenging due to the volume of volunteers.
- Volunteers who are not "Delivering Meals" will register at the Equinox registration table.
- Be prepared to work and have fun!
Meal Delivery:
- Bring large containers, like plastic laundry baskets, wagons, carts to transport meals.
- Arrive NO LATER than 8:00 am.
- Meals will begin to move out shortly after 8:00 am.
- Meal packages are arranged by zip code.
- Assistance with directions and printing of maps will be available.
- Expect to deliver to 2-4 locations; each driver will deliver up to 10 dinners.
- Meals should be delivered within 2 hours of departure from the Plaza.
- Recipients have been instructed to be home between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm.
- If recipient is not home, find another person in need of the meal. Do not return the meal to the Plaza.
Instructions for Volunteers at First Presbyterian Church
NOTE: Food is prepared at the Empire State Plaza and
served at the church
General Information:
- Parking is available on the street or in Washington Park.
- After registering at the church, volunteers will be given parking signs for their vehicles.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes that can get soiled.
- Leave personal belongings at home or in the car.
On Thanksgiving Day:
- If possible, bring a baseball cap to avoid wearing a hair net.
- If possible, bring a clean, over-the-head apron
- Be prepared to work and have fun!
