Thanksgiving
dinner

The Thanksgiving Dinner is a long-standing tradition in the Portage community. Each year, a group of parish volunteers coordinates a free Thanksgiving meal for those who are most in need in our community. We are proud to say that the Thanksgiving Dinner serves nearly 300 people every year and continues to grow.

Over the years, we have expanded the Thanksgiving meal from just a sit-down experience to one that offers curb-side meal pick-up and even meal delivery to those who are homebound. We recognize the need in our community and continue to develop new ways to expand this ministry.

A free meal for everyone

Unlike many community Thanksgiving meals, the St. Mary OTIC meal is completely free for everyone who needs it. We recognize that many people have to struggle with the decision to buy a hot meal and pay their bills. We accept a free-will offering to help offset the costs, but most of the support comes from parishioners and businesses in the Portage community.

​Each year, we rely on donations to help make the Thanksgiving meal reach the widest population of our community. There are several ways that you can donate to help make this meal the best that it can be.

Donate your time

We have been blessed with many volunteers serving nearly 300 meals, and are occasionally in need of more help.  If you are interested please call the number below and  we will let you know how you can help.

- Being a delivery driver
- Dining room servers & bussers
- Food preparers
- Dish washers
- So much more!

 Please contact Chris Clark at the Parish Office, at 608-742-6998 or by emailing cclark@stmaryotic.org

Donate Your Talent

Do you like to bake pies? 

If you do, then donating your talents to the Thanksgiving Dinner might be the best way to go.

We are always in need of pies and there is no exception to the level of baking that you can do.

We accept apple, cherry, rhubarb, blueberry, pecan, peach, chocolate, and even the traditional pumpkin pie.

Please drop your pies off at the the Parish Office on Wed.,  between 9-4:00, or at St. Mary School gym on the morning of the Thanksgiving Dinner.

Donate your treasure

Strapped for time and don't bake? No need to worry!

We are always accepting monetary donations to help make the Thanksgiving Dinner successful.

We offer the meal to people on the idea that they give what they can to help offset the cost of the meal. While many people can donate, there are some who must choose between having a hot meal and paying their bills.

Every donation is always greatly accepted. If you would like to make a monetary donation, please go to the  Financial Stewardship or Volunteer & Donate link on the home page of the website, or contact Chris Daly, Parish Bookkeeper, at 608 742-6998 ext. 212 or by emailing cdaly@stmaryotic.org