Residents looking for food, fellowship and a place to give thanks in the coming days will have the opportunity to do so at several Thanksgiving dinners.

Those looking to give back this holiday season can also get their fill. Below is a description of dinners offered to those searching for the above.

• 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19 at Michiana Christian Embassy, 1922 E. Main St. in Niles

Volunteer Coordinator Tim Douglas will spend the early morning hours Saturday preparing food for the annual Thanksgiving dinner that the Salvation Army has offered to the community for more that 13 years.

The dinner will feature turkey, ham, dinner rolls, yams and dessert, to name just a few.

Douglas said staff at the Salvation Army wanted to continue their legacy of giving back to the community by taking the labor out of preparing the Thanksgiving meal.

“Yes [the dinner] is for those who need it,” Douglas said. “But it is also for the community to come together and celebrate being a community.”

The dinner typically draws more than 200 people to the table, which is why Douglas said they offer the Thanksgiving meal at the Michiana Christian Embassy, where there is a larger space to accommodate the hungry crowd. A force of more than 50 volunteers will be helping Douglas and Salvation Army staff prepare, serve and clean up on Sunday.

New to the dinner this year, participants will have the opportunity to show what they are thankful for. Each dinner table will be covered in butcher block paper and crayons will be available for those attending to jot down on the table cloth what they are most thankful for.

Douglas said he hopes attendants walk away with more than just full stomachs.

“I hope that they come out of it with the feeling of thankfulness of what God has given them and the sense of community,” Douglas said. “Despite everything going on in the world, I want people to come together regardless of what their politics or religions are.”

While there is not a need for more volunteers for the dinner, Douglas encouraged those looking to give back to sign up to be bell ringers. For more information, call the Niles Salvation Army at (269) 684-2660.

• Noon Thursday, Nov. 23 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 302 Cedar St. in Niles

Guests can dig in to a traditional style Thanksgiving dinner this holiday. The church will serve up turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans and desserts.

“Pretty much any goodie that you can think of being served on Thanksgiving will be there,” said Brenda Engel, the church secretary.

This year’s dinner is being organized by congregation members John and Amy Wade. The dinner has been a tradition for more than 30 years at the church.

Engle said the church hosts the traditional dinner the day of Thanksgiving because they do not want any person to have to face the holiday alone.

“We found that there are a lot of people that are either alone on Thanksgiving Day for whatever reason or they can’t afford to put together a Thanksgiving meal,” Engel said. “Or maybe they are just looking for some fellowship.”

Those interested in attending the dinner are asked to call the church and make a reservation so that volunteers can get an accurate head count. Those who need transportation to the dinner can also get a ride. Engel encouraged anyone who wants to volunteer on Thanksgiving to notify the church, too.

For more information, call Wesley United Methodist Church at (269) 683-7250.