NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊHolidays draw families together. People fight airline traffic. They drive long hours through heavy highway traffic.

On the same holidays, others are left lonely.

Thanksgiving Day tables are covered with potatoes and gravy, casseroles, corn, salads, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pies and turkey and dressing.

Other tables have microwavable TV dinners.

With those without families in mind, Mel Harrell, owner of Mel's Diner, Manchester, and Linda Learned, chief of North Manchester Police Department, formulated the solution for the lonely: Thanksgiving dinner for the community.

"I didn't realize there were so many underprivileged people in town," said Harrell, after planning the event with Learned.

On Nov. 22, Mel's Diner is opening for the Thanksgiving meal from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Entrees served are the traditional turkey, potatoes and gravy, salads, drinks and desserts. Untraditionally, the meal is free.

Louise Nordmann, owner and baker at Nordmann's Nook, Manchester, is offering her services at the event. She is donating pumpkin pies.

Nordmann said Learned and Harrell talked with her about the dinner. From there, "it kind of fell together," she said.

The idea started when a Fort Wayne restaurant held a Thanksgiving dinner for the community. Learned heard about it and thought North Manchester could and should do the same.

"The Manchester community will respond," said Learned confidently, about the volunteers needed to make the dinner a success.

Learned set up a phone number for volunteers to call and offer their services. The phone number is 982-8555. The number rings dispatchers at the North Manchester Public Safety Building. Dispatchers are always available to take calls.

Any person wanting to help in any way should call the public safety building, said Learned. Volunteers are needed to help cook, deliver to shut-ins, clean afterward and other activities. [[In-content Ad]]