A little white church in Bowmanstown kicked off the holiday season with a free turkey dinner — the first of many set to take place in the weeks leading to Thanksgiving.

Jeanette Gaukler, president of Emmanuel United Church of Christ on Hamilton Street, expected at least 100 people to turn up for the meal last weekend. It was the church’s third year hosting it.

Gaukler said preparation for the dinner started at the beginning of this week, when volunteers made the stuffing and turkey. They returned to the church early Saturday, setting up neatly covered tables surrounded by red chairs.

“By the end of this week, I’m shot,” Gaukler joked.

Guests were served by an assembly line of volunteers, who dished out mashed potatoes, green beans, turkey and other traditional Thanksgiving fixings.

At 81, Gaukler has been a member of Emmanuel United Church of Christ all her life. It’s a small church, she said, with a congregation consisting of about 80 people.

But the church’s modest parish doesn’t impede on its ability to reach the community. In fact, according to Gaukler, that’s exactly what it’s there to do. When asked why they host the meal, her answer was simple: “Mission.”

“That’s the meaning of the church,” Gaukler said.

The dinner was free and open to anyone who attended. It was funded through the church’s operating budget, but donations were also accepted.

“If they want to leave a donation, they may,” Gaukler said. “But there’s some people that can’t.”

While Gaukler said she plans to end her near 60-year tenure as president of Emmanuel United Church of Christ within a year, she will continue to help put on events like Saturday’s dinner.

After all, the small white chapel, with its small but dedicated congregation, is “still (her) church,” she said.

With the holidays well on their way, there are plenty of other free community dinners set to take place in the area.

Here’s a list of just some planned for the coming weeks:

• Nov. 10: Veterans Day dinner at the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 360 in Weatherly, 2 to 5 p.m. Free for veterans and their guest.

• Nov. 24: free community dinner at Meed’s Memorial United Methodist Church in Nesquehoning, seating times at 1, 3 and 5 p.m.

• Nov. 27: Living Hope Lighthouse Church Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner in Palmerton, 6 to 8 p.m.

• Nov. 28: American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert Annual Open Community Thanksgiving Dinner, noon to 4 p.m.