(NCN File Photo)

SIDNEY -- Residents gathered to share a pre-Thanksgiving feast while watching the Red Raiders in the championship football game Tuesday.

"You what. It was a very successful year. I know a lot of our Sidney residents have traveled to support our Sidney Raiders, which is wonderful. But I still do think we served around 350-375 people," Shaw said.

She said the lunch was supported by the amount of volunteer help.

"We've had a wonderful group of volunteers that have come in and delivered meals to those that are not able to join us and need a meal like we've had well over 100 meals go out the door delivered to those people not able to join us," she said.

The Thanksgiving lunch included the traditional fanfare of sliced ham, turkey, dressing and all the "fixins." This year the community could also watch the championship football game while sharing a table with a neighbor.

The community Thanksgiving dinner has a tradition of near 40 years.

"In general, I think this started in the early 80s. So, it started with the Lutheran Church, and the Gorensons started it and it's just continued from there. The Elks took it over, or started taking it, doing it four years ago. We assisted Jeannette Ford when she was doing it. And then, when she was not able to do it any more it was just a tradition that we can't do with out," she said.