Groton — Just before 9 a.m. Friday, a gray pickup truck pulled up to the U.S. Submarine Veterans Groton Base. About 20 minutes later, more than 60 frozen turkeys and several cases of jellied cranberry and green beans lined the back of the pickup.

Each year after their annual Thanksgiving feast — this year's event fed more than 1,000 — the Subvets donate their leftover turkeys and select food items to St. David's Episcopal Church in Gales Ferry.

St. David's uses the food for its annual Christmas dinner, where they feed the homeless and many others in the community, including those who are not affiliated with the church.

Dennis McKelvey, a Saint David's parishioner who oversees the Christmas meal, said volunteers bus people to the church from the New London Homeless Hospitality Center and the New London Community Meal Center. 

The church delivers meals throughout New London County, including to some area police barracks, in addition to serving visitors family-style at long tables in the parish hall. Those who dine in also are offered takeout meals to enjoy during the rest of the week.

McKelvey estimated that about 650 people are fed through the dinner.

In addition to meals, the church offers diners donations of winter clothing and toys for children

Recently, McKelvey called Jeff Walsh, lead coordinator for the Subvets Thanksgiving meal, to coordinate picking up the food.

McKelvey said, "Senior Chief, this is you captain speaking," Walsh recalled.

McKelvey was captain of the USS Annapolis from 2006 to 2008 while Walsh was senior chief.

"At least it's not wicked cold like last year," McKelvey said while standing in the back of his pickup waiting to load a large black trash bag filled with frozen turkeys. About six volunteers from Subvets were helping to move the turkeys from a chill box outside to the back of the pick-up.

McKelvey remembered years when he came to pick up the food and it was so cold you could barely move your fingers.

The frozen turkeys will be stored at the galley at Naval Submarine Base until Christmas Eve when volunteers will cook the food at the galley.

j.bergman@theday.com

Twitter: @JuliaSBergman