The Saint Susan Center in Jamestown, New York welcomed over 100 community members in need for its annual Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 28th.

With the help of more than 50 volunteers, the center provided a warm meal and a sense of connection to those facing challenges, including a growing homeless population in the city.  

Executive Director Cherie Rowland shared that this tradition is about more than just food. “It’s about bringing people together, especially those who may feel alone during the holidays,” she said. "We have been fortunate to have the support of the community and have been open for 40 years now. Our mission remains the same, to feed the hungry with dignity and respect, and to offer a healthy community."

This year’s dinner comes at a time when the need for services has been increasing. The center has been a critical resource for Jamestown’s homeless community, offering not only meals but connections to housing programs and other essential support.  

"We have had a lot more people come in," stated Jessica Velasco, Executive Chef at the St. Susan Center. "But we try our best every day to do this with our heart and help them the best we can. But we need help too. Anything from one dollar to a couple minutes of your day, anything like that would help us a lot."

Looking ahead, the Saint Susan Center recently acquired a new building in Jamestown, which is expected to open in 2025. The expanded space will allow the center to enhance its services and accommodate the growing demand in the community.  

"We are very excited for this next step and are looking forward to being able to offer more to our community," stated Rowland. "We have been very blessed this year and cannot wait to see what next year will hold for us."

Representatives from the Saint Susan Center stated that they hope to use their new space to meet the community's growing needs, and are looking forward to what the future holds.

For more information on the Saint Susan Center in Jamestown, New York, visit here.