For the fourth year in a row, UPMC Western Maryland partnered with several organizations to ensure that thousands of area residents enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.

Along with Our Lady of the Mountains Roman Catholic Parish, Mineral County Aging and Family Services, Allegany County Human Resources Development Commission and The Pharmacare Network, UPMC Western Maryland teamed up to serve over 2,800 meals across the tri-state region.

“This year’s event was extra special as we delivered so many meals in Allegany and Mineral County,” said Jo Wilson, Vice President, Population Health at UPMC Western Maryland. “Our goal was to provide these Thanksgiving meals by working with our partners in the area. The UPMC Western Maryland staff as well as our volunteers are amazing and brought smiles to so many people.”

The number of meals prepared this year marked a new record, with 1,383 dinners consisting of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls and pumpkin pie being delivered out into the community. Meals went to churches in Frostburg, Westernport and Mt. Savage, to 13 different group residential communities in the area, to Mineral County Meals on Wheels clients and to home bound seniors.

Another 1,235 meals were served at UPMC Western Maryland, where visitors could either eat in or take out. In addition, 100 portions of turkey were donated to the Union Rescue Mission and 90 meals were given to first responders as they checked in patients at the UPMC Western Maryland Emergency Room.

Flu shots were also made available, with 15 being administered in the local high rises and 43 more at UPMC Western Maryland during the dinner.

Overall, 200 volunteers made up of UPMC Western Maryland employees, their familes and friends and other community members served 723 pounds of turkey, 288 Pumpkin Pies, 100 pounds of cranberry sauce and 250 pounds of bread for stuffing, all expertly prepared by Aramark, the on-site food coordinator for UPMC Western Maryland .

“Without a doubt this is one of the most rewarding projects we do because it reminds us of what a hot, nourishing meal means to people,” Wilson said.