The holiday hoopla starts this week and food always seems to be at the center of it. It doesn't matter what your politics are, the fact is more than 200,000 Mainers are constantly hungry and the most vulnerable among them are single moms with kids. An article by Andy O'Brien last week, Slashing The Safety Net in Lean Times, shows how this reality affects local people of the Midcoast, may of whom are doing everything they can not to go hungry.

Maine is the kind of place where your neighbors are the best safety net you've got in snow storms, during crises and when someone really needs some help. This Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 28, a number of area organizations are doing what they always do — coming together to put food on the table for some folks who really need the food, the cheer and the company.

If you can help in any way, (volunteer for a few hours, donate some items or even provide some homemade goods), this is the best time to consider it. Following is a list of places, people and organizations working to provide free Thanksgiving dinners this year, with one after-dinner event planned in Rockland.

Belfast
Noon to 2 p.m. - St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 81 Court St. in Belfast. Along with The Knights of Columbus, the church will serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal in the church's parish hall. All are welcome.

1 p.m. - Unitarian Universalist Church of Belfast at 37 Miller St.  Guests are asked to bring a prepared dish or beverage to share, but no alcohol. Volunteers roast the turkeys Thanksgiving morning and volunteers carve them up just before 1 p.m., laying them out on decorated buffet tables. Decorators spend a few hours in the morning setting tables and the clean-up crew works for a few hours afterward cleaning dishes and vacuuming the sanctuary. No reservations necessary. To volunteer, contact Arthur Richardson at 342-4649.

Camden
1 to 3 p.m. - St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, 33 Chestnut St. in Camden, will be serving Thanksgiving dinner. There will be no charge and all are welcome to come share food and fellowship. Call the church by Tuesday, Nov. 26, to let them know the number coming to ensure there is enough food. FMI and to reserve a place: call the church office at 236-2680 and speak with George Jones.

Rockland
12:30 p.m. - In the Parish Hall at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 11 White St. in Rockland. Gluten-free and vegan items will be available. Everyone is welcome to attend, with a special invitation to those who would otherwise be alone on this occasion. To volunteer to assist with preparation and serving of the meal, or to contribute to the meal with donations of food or cash, call Lucia Elder at 446-2502 or the church office at 594-8191.

4 p.m. - The Mid-Coast Interfaith Alliance is sponsoring a service of music, sacred readings and prayers at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 15 Wesley Lane in Rockland. The theme is “Finding Peace in our Thanksgiving.” Financial contributions will be donated to Hospitality House in Rockport and donations of canned goods and staples will be given to the Area Interfaith Organization Food Pantry for Knox County. Refreshments will follows. FMI: call Nativity Lutheran Church at 594-4665.

Union
1 p.m. - Hosted by Bill and Kathy Packard and a legion of volunteers, dinner is served at Thompson Community Center, 51 S. Union Road, Union. Four years ago the Packards were facing Thanksgiving without their son, Jesse, who was stationed on a  destroyer in the Middle East. They decided to create a community dinner to gather with others missing family, and a tradition was born. All are welcome.

Is your free Thanksgiving dinner or Thanksgiving Day event missing from the list? Send email to news@penbaypilot.com  with “Free Thanksgiving” in the subject line.

Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards can be reached at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com or 706-6655. Kay Stephens contributed to this story and she can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com.