There are always plenty of homeless people ? and others who’ve fallen on hard times — who eat Thanksgiving dinner at the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen.

“We’re guessing there will be even more this year,? said Arlyne McGaugh, a member of LINK’s board. “The economy is still struggling and we’ve been serving more people, seeing more families.?

LINK operates year-round in the basement of First Christian Church, 211 W. 10th St., serving lunch on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. The number of guests has risen steadily during the past year, McGaugh said, to an average of 120 people per meal.

That number could skyrocket to more than 400 for Thanksgiving, McGaugh said. About half of those meals will be delivered to people unable to leave their homes.

And that means LINK needs donations of food and money.

“It’s the traditional meal: dressing, turkey, mashed potatoes, home-baked pies ?” really good food,? McGaugh said. “We’ll cook 40 or more 20-pound turkeys.?

“The meals are open to anyone, not necessarily somebody who doesn’t have food,? McGaugh said. “We have people who come just for the companionship.?

Members of Lawrence Free Methodist Church, including Wayne Schrock, help serve meals at LINK, the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen, 221 W. 10th St. LINK is seeking food and money donations -- and volunteer help -- for its annual Thanksgiving dinner.

Volunteers who deliver to homebound residents will be asked to provide some of that companionship.

“We’ll give each of the volunteers only a few deliveries to make, so they can visit awhile at each location,? McGaugh said.

The meal will be served from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 28. Donations up to $500 will be matched by the Lutheran Brotherhood.

¢ 6News video: LINK expects large Thanksgiving