For most American families, Thanksgiving traditions include turkey, parades and football.
For the Lombardo family, Thanksgiving tradition means serving a free Thanksgiving dinner to hundreds of people in need.
The family-owned Lombardo’s function facility in Randolph will hold its 40th annual Thanksgiving dinner for the less fortunate on Thursday.
About 1,000 people are expected to attend, 300 more than last year, CEO Vincent Lombardo said.
“Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same if we couldn’t serve these people,” he said. “It’s a great way to start the day.”
The restaurant works with local senior centers and Salvation Army locations in the Greater Boston and South Shore areas to provide tickets to local seniors and others with no place to go for Thanksgiving.
Lombardo works with siblings Paula, Dennis and Nina, mother Mabel and nine grandchildren to oversee the event. The dinner continues the legacy of Lombardo’s co-founder Salvatore Lombardo, who started the dinner with his mother, Nina, in 1971.
More than 125 volunteers will join the Lombardo family to put on the event. They include firefighters, Girl Scouts, Lombardo’s employees and local families.
“We have the police chief making salad. We have the fire chief washing dishes,” Lombardo said.
“They make the day,” he said of the volunteers.
This year’s dinner will consist of 420 pounds of turkey, 300 pounds of potatoes, 20 gallons of gravy, 10 cases of pasta, 35 gallons of marinara sauce and 150 pies.
“There’s a lot of work we’re doing to get ready for it,” Lombardo said. “It’s always been a real community event.”
Jessica Melanson may be reached at jmelanson@ledger.com.
READ MORE about Lombardo’s restaurant.