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

âÂÂWeâÂÂre guessing there will be even more this year,? said Arlyne McGaugh, a member of LINKâÂÂs board. âÂÂThe economy is still struggling and weâÂÂve 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.

âÂÂItâÂÂs the traditional meal: dressing, turkey, mashed potatoes, home-baked pies ?” really good food,? McGaugh said. âÂÂWeâÂÂll cook 40 or more 20-pound turkeys.?

âÂÂThe meals are open to anyone, not necessarily somebody who doesnâÂÂt have food,? McGaugh said. âÂÂWe have people who come just for the companionship.?

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

âÂÂWeâÂÂll 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.