The Messalonskee Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Messalonskee High School in Oakland has been a longstanding tradition, feeding hundreds of people each year. The event, which draws many volunteers, was started decades ago by Edward “Bud” King, a well-known Oakland businessman who passed away in 2020 at the age of 97. Despite the event’s long history, there remains uncertainty about when it actually began, with different sources providing conflicting information.
Organized by Mike Perkins for many years, the community dinner has grown substantially since its humble beginnings. What started with only 50 people attending the first dinner has now expanded to serve over 1,000 individuals. Local volunteers, including Girl Scout troops and high school students, contribute to the preparation and delivery of meals.
Despite efforts to determine the exact year the event started, sources have given conflicting accounts, with advertisements and newspaper coverage offering differing information. However, regardless of when it officially began, the focus of the event has always been on providing meals to those in need on Thanksgiving Day.
The legacy of Edward “Bud” King lives on through the Messalonskee Community Thanksgiving Dinner, which continues to bring the community together to share a meal and celebrate the holiday. King’s vision of putting families first is still at the heart of the event, making it a meaningful tradition for all involved.
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