OLDSMAR, Fla. — As many celebrated Thanksgiving, plenty gathered over a hot meal.

But some needed a little help with that. A few local organizations came together in Oldsmar to make that possible.

What You Need To Know

  • Local organizations in Oldsmar worked together to provide free meals for residents on Thanksgiving

  • Organizers said they were inspired by a call to action after recent back-to-back hurricanes hurt the area
  • Meals were donated and provided by Three Brothers Pizza
  • Based on the reception to Thursday’s meal, an Oldmar Alliance member said the dinner may become an annual event

“This is how we make human connection, and this is how it lasts," said Liz Martin of Oldsmar Alliance. "This is how we actually help each other and build community.”

Outside the Oldsmar Community Methodist Church, the Oldsmar community gathered for a Thanksgiving Day meal, inspired by a call to action after recent back-to-back hurricanes hurt the area.

“It’s like every day since the hurricanes, it’s been a Thanksgiving Day for us," Martin said. "We’re able to come together where we know people are suffering. We know we can come in and help. People that are suffering know that we’re here. We didn’t abandon them.”

Families of all ages showed up for a hot meal, dinners made possible thanks to a local business.

“We had enough food for 400 people," said Sean Marsiglia with Three Brothers Pizza. "So it worked out here for 200, and then we’re on our way to Safety Harbor to drop off the rest.”

Families like Totyo Ivanov's feel grateful.

“We’re all healthy and laughing together. That is the main thing," Ivanov said. "Then, again, everybody else in our community all together. All the wonderful people in Oldsmar.”

And just based on the reception to Thursday’s meal, Martin said the community dinner may become an annual event for them.

She said she felt thankful, herself.

“Extremely thankful," she said. "Extremely thankful, extremely grateful.”