It was a packed house Friday evening as the Union City Lions Club held its annual Thanksgiving meal at the Ralph and Mary Ruggieri Senior Center.

Nearly 300 seniors were in attendance to partake in a meal of salad, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and all the trimmings. The 25 turkeys needed to feed the guests were provided by Tri-CED Community Recycling and cooked to perfection courtesy of the Crowne Plaza Hotel kitchen staff. 

The event was one of many free community meals being held in the Tri-Cities area. (See below for a list of upcoming events.)

The highly anticipated event is "a treat for the seniors," said Don Watson, a Lions Club member since 1991. Residents learn about the dinner by  word of mouth and from fliers sent out to local senior housing facilities.

Diners were shown their seats for the evening by "meal expeditors," members of the Lions Club including Watson and Tony Acosta, the organization's vice president and the City of Union City's deputy city manager. 

While enjoying their traditional turkey, served by members of the Union City Leos Club (Logan students), those in attendance played free raffle games using tickets given to them at the start of the meal.  

While some of the seniors in attendance may exist on fixed incomes, the free pre-Thanksgiving Day feast is "a truly social occasion," Acosta said. 

That is in contrast to some Thanksgiving meals that are intended solely for those in need, such as the Our Lady of the Rosary Church's inaugural Thanksgiving Day meal for the homeless. The church will serve nearly 300 Union City residents with help from both the Lions Club and Tri-CED. 

Families in need are invited to the Our Lady of the Rosary Hall Parish, located at 703 C Street in Union City, at 1 p.m. on Nov. 25. 

Throughout the Tri-Cities area, many organizations and places of worship will open their doors and hearts to feed the bodies and minds of the local community. 

Fremont

The Centerville Free Dining Room will provide a free meal on Nov. 23, with a ceremony and entertainment beginning at 3:30 p.m. The dining room is operated by the Centerville Presbyterian Church and is located at 4360 Central Ave. in Fremont. 

Hawyard and Castro Valley

The Salvation Army of Hayward will serve meals for East Bay residents from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 25 at four locations in Hayward and Castro Valley.

• All Saints Catholic Church, 22824 Second St., Hayward. 510-581-2570.
• Calvary Baptist Church, 28924 Ruus Road, Hayward. 510-887-2187.
• First Presbyterian Church of Hayward, 2490 Grove Way, Castro Valley (510-581-6203).
• The Neighborhood Church, 20600 John Dr., Castro Valley (510-537-4690). 

Newark

The Tri-Cities League of Volunteers hosts its annual Thanksgiving Day meal at the Newark Pavilion, located at 6430 Thornton Ave. in Newark. The event will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 25.

The League of Volunteers will also  provide a "turkey taxi" for those needing transportation to and from the event. Anyone interested may call program director, Joanne Paletta, at 510-491-3799. Homebound residents may call the Leage at 510-793-5683 to have a meal delivered.

San Leandro

The International Christian Center in San Leandro expects to feed 500 to 600 people from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 24. The church is located at 562 Lewelling Blvd. in San Leandro.

Nonprofit Hindu cultural and spiritual center Badarikashrama will host a vegetarian dinner with live music beginning at 3 p.m. on Nov. 25. The center is located at 15602 Maubert Ave. in San Leandro.