ORR Junior High plans 33rd annual senior Thanksgiving dinner

Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Old Rochester Regional Junior High School (ORRJHS) Principal Silas Coellner announced the school's 33rd annual Thanksgiving Dinner for senior citizens from Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester.

The dinner will be held in the ORRJHS cafeteria in Mattapoisett on Sunday, Nov. 22. Doors open at 11:15 a.m. and the meal begins at noon.

"The annual Thanksgiving Dinner is an opportunity for our school community to give back to the eldest residents of Mattapoisett, Marion and Rochester," Coellner said in the release. "I am always grateful to see so many staff and student volunteers participating in this event."

The dinner is sponsored by the ORRJHS community, with families and community members donating turkeys, pies and door prizes each year. There are 300 tickets available, 100 per town, distributed through each town's Council on Aging.

Director of Guidance Christina Cioffi said the event strengthens intergenerational bonds in the Tri-Town region. "As our students and staff provide the seniors with a meal, there is an opportunity to connect with people we otherwise might not meet," Cioffi said in the release.

Meals will also be available for homebound seniors. Residents seeking a meal for a homebound individual should contact their local Council on Aging with the recipient's name and address.

Last year, about 200 seniors attended the event, which was staffed by more than 40 staff members and 36 student volunteers.

"We look forward to welcoming Tri-Town senior citizens back into ORRJHS for our 33rd annual Thanksgiving Banquet," Superintendent Nelson said in the release.

Businesses and individuals interested in providing monetary donations or door prizes can contact ORRJHS at 508-758-4928 and ask to speak with Director Cioffi.

Source: Town of Rochester announcement, October 30, 2026.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement. It was corrected where it differed.