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Thanksgiving Dinner

In 1988, Sister Teresa Marie Bohren and Peter Lyons, teamed up to offer a traditional, hot Thanksgiving dinner to area homeless persons at Peter’s restaurant. It’s estimated that the Sisters of St. Joseph have since served more than 20,000 Thanksgiving Dinners including home deliveries to homebound persons.

Thanksgiving Diner Deliveries In 2009, the event moved to a new, larger location --- Gannon University’s Waldron Campus Center. The effort continues to grow and the collaboration with Gannon University provides a larger space while still offering a convenient, downtown location. “With the addition of Gannon University as a partner, we look forward to continuing this long-standing tradition,” said Mary Claire Kennedy, SSJ.

“Gannon University is pleased to be of service to the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Thanksgiving Dinner. As a Catholic, Diocesan university and also as a major downtown partner, Gannon’s participation in this longstanding event is consistent with our mission and an example of the type of volunteer service our students are involved in daily,” explained Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D., President, Gannon University. “Through similar Gannon events, such as the Golden Harvest Food Drive and the Social Work Club’s Christmas Dinner, our students dedicated more than 77,000 hours of service last year; and we are honored to assist the Sisters of Saint Joseph to carry on this tradition.”

The Thanksgiving Dinner is possible each year because of the monetary and food contributions received from individuals and local companies. Monetary donations help cover the cost of the dinner and provide needed resources to local shelters, food banks and agencies throughout the year. Donations may be sent to the Thanksgiving Dinner Fund, Sisters of St. Joseph, 5031 West Ridge Road, Erie, PA 16506-1249.