Thanksgiving will be here before we know it. If you are visiting the Island for the holiday, or are a local, Hudson’s is a great way to celebrate and indulge!
The 25th anniversary of the Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner takes place from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks. St. Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church and Hudson’s partner together to put on the event
“This year’s event will celebrate our community by feeding families and individuals from near and far,” said Gloria LaCoe. Gloria has led the volunteer team and organized the event with her husband, Allan, for the past 25 years.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to meet and work with so many wonderful people and partner with Andrew (Carmines) and Hudson’s all these years.” Gloria and Allan will retire from their leadership roles after this year’s event concludes, but will attend the Dinner in the future. The Community Thanksgiving Dinner tradition will continue in 2025 and beyond.
The free traditional family-style meal is served to more than 1,500 Lowcountry residents and visitors annually.
Founded in 1998, Community Thanksgiving Dinner was conceived from an Island Packet article featuring locals with nowhere to go. Brian Carmines, co-owner of Hudson’s, Allan LaCoe, and Betsy Doughtie, the former executive director of the Deep Well Project, soon met to discuss and begin organizing a community-wide event.
St. Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church became a founding co-sponsor by leading the volunteer and planning efforts. Hudson’s offered to host the first Dinner. They served five hundred meals that Thanksgiving Day in 1999. Community Thanksgiving became an annual tradition until it was canceled in 2020 due to COVID. Annual dinners resumed in 2021.
Up to half of the volunteers who serve in different roles – from parking assistance and welcoming guests to serving meals – come from outside the local Hilton Head area. Fifty percent (50%) are repeat volunteers, and the volunteer roster is usually full by mid-October with a waitlist. Guests can expect the same tradition of memorably delicious food, warm Southern hospitality, fellowship and entertainment.
“The Hudson’s Staff and I are looking forward to this year’s Community Thanksgiving Dinner,” said Andrew Carmines, co-owner of Hudson’s Seafood House.
“The LaCoe’s thoughtful and purpose-driven leadership these past 25 years have made the Community Thanksgiving Dinner a Lowcountry legacy event.”
Donations benefit local nonprofit organizations:
- Bluffton Self Help (https://blufftonselfhelp.org)
- Deep Well Project (https://www.deepwellproject.org)
- Second Helpings (https://www.secondhelpingslc.org)
Contributions are gratefully accepted via the Community Thanksgiving website and during the Thanksgiving Day dinner itself.
Complete information is available at https://communitythanksgiving.com or on the event’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ThanksgivingDinnerHHI).
