New London — Its beginnings were humble enough.

Back in 1987, a family that resided near Jennings Elementary School didn’t have anybody to celebrate Thanksgiving with.

Members of the Uncasville-based Calvary Chapel asked representatives of Second Congregational Church, which owned the building at 45 Broad St. until 2013, if it would be OK to use their facility for a small gathering so the family wouldn't have to be alone on the holiday.

“We did it that year with 25 people,” recalled Joe Paskewich, a pastor at Calvary Chapel.

The Calvary Chapel Thanksgiving feast was born.

On Thursday, nearly 30 years later, Pastor Al Serino anticipated more than 600 people would be fed during the dinner, which ran from noon to 3 p.m. at the Second Congregational Church building, now owned by Miracle Temple Church. He said some picked up their meals for take-out, too, while others with extenuating circumstances had them delivered.

Serino said a scripture in the Bible — the book of Matthew, chapter 25, verses 34 through 36 — helps explain why Calvary Chapel continues to put on the feast, as well as to collect winter and other clothing for those in need.

“God says to his children, 'Come all ye who are blessed of my table that I’ve prepared for you,'” Serino said, “'because when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was naked you gave me clothes, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, when I was sick you comforted me, when I was in prison you visited me.'”

“This is a way for us to give back and show the thankfulness we have in our hearts for what God has done for us,” Serino continued.

Inside the bustling meal hall, volunteers offered smiles and well wishes as hundreds of people grabbed plates of food and pieces of various pies.

At a span of tables piled high with individually wrapped sweets, volunteer Samantha Sousa said she and the others met every Monday for weeks to make sure things were in order for the big day. Prior to Thursday, the final step for her team was showing up Wednesday night to slice and package the dozens of pies donated to the cause.

“It’s doing something for somebody else,” the volunteer of three or four years said. “It’s taking yourself and bringing something to other people, like a good meal that we are so easily able to have and maybe take for granted.”

Nearby, chapel member Gary Blackstone recalled the first time he volunteered.

The year was 1989, and so much snow fell he had to have his car towed home.

The experience didn’t deter him.

“That for me was, 'OK, this is what we’re doing for Thanksgiving, now,'” said Blackstone, who was overseeing the dining hall operations and joked that he’s the “maître d'.”

He started bringing his kids along when the youngest was 4. The next year, the then 5-year-old was helping serve tables.

“Being able to come here and help people who just need a place to hang out for a while is great,” Blackstone said.

Inside the steamy kitchen, two other longtime volunteers cited their faith as the reason they spend their Thanksgiving morning cooking for others.

Robert Sousa, who for years operated New London’s Portuguese Fisherman restaurant with his wife, Diane, said he volunteers not only for this meal, but also for meals that take place at Church of the City and the New London Homeless Hospitality Center each month.

“We’re busy, but with God’s help, we do a lot,” he said.

Mark Morth, who said he’s been participating in the meal for about 12 years, said Jesus Christ, known for having treated all people equally, is his inspiration.

“We're just trying to do what he did when he was here,” Morth said. “He set the example, and we’re trying to follow in his footsteps.”

Serino acknowledged that the sheer volume of the event's attendees likely is an indication of the region’s need.

“The good news is we’re capable and equipped to meet the need,” he said.

For Jasmine Smith, who’s homeless and without family, the meal she enjoyed with a friend wasn’t enough to solve all of her problems, but it was much better than being alone on a holiday.

“I miss my family,” she said. “But I feel this is a good thing. A lot of people don’t have the means to buy food or to have family over, or they might be homeless. So to have somewhere to come get a meal? It’s a good thing.”

l.boyle@theday.com