Parking spots and seating were hard to come by for those arriving late at the Healdton Senior Citizen Center.

There was enough food to feed a small army during the annual Thanksgiving feast Tuesday afternoon. Center employees and volunteers helped keep a steady line moving as hundreds were served.

“I have been working over a week on this meal,” Senior Citizen Director Mindy Sorrels said. “I did six hams, six turkeys, 40 pies and all the sides.”

All of the meat was donated by different individuals and a Healdton business donated half of the sides for the meal.

“We have very strong support here,” she said. “This place is wonderful because if we ask for something, we normally get it.”

The center is open every Tuesday and Thursday. It typically serves about 70 to-go meals and up to 140 meals in-house.

“Today, we have already did 35 to-go’s, and it is just homebound people today,” she said. “And the place is packed. We served 275 people last year, and I am hoping to do better today.”

The center staff are made up of Sorrels and Melody Pierce along with volunteers Nonie Rose and Kay Ortiz. Joining them were members of the Healdton Police Department and City Manager Gus Handke.

The center, like many others throughout the state and nation, is one of the heartbeats of the community, where people eat, visit and play games.

“It is 100% important,” Sorrels said. “There are a lot of people that need it and want it. I can see it. We serve the senior citizens, but we also don’t turn anybody away. If they want a meal, they can have a meal. And it is very important to them.”

Sorrels has served as the center for the past three years. She said her favorite part of working there is cooking and the relationships with the residents who visit every week.

“I have got to know all my regulars by first name, and they are all wonderful,” she said.

The center, which can also be rented out for events, is operated by the city. Handke said the facility is maintained by the city as well. The seniors also have a stake in the center, which was evident by the tips given throughout the meal for operations.

“I imagine we will do at least 350 or 375 for Thanksgiving this year and probably 400, I would imagine, for Christmas,” Handke said.

“We take care of elderly people, if people have family members that they know are in need, we take meals to them,” he said. “This is our community outreach. We have a lot of people that depend on this place. They eat down here, and they get a couple of meals a week. They hang out, play cards and dominoes. And they will be here for a couple of hours after it is over.”