This isn’t the Windmill Restaurant’s first time providing a free Thanksgiving meal to Concord residents on Thursday. In fact, it’s a longstanding tradition for the family-owned restaurant on Loudon Road.
Now, Concord residents will have free round-trip transportation to the restaurant, thanks to a partnership with Concord Area Transit.
Throughout the pandemic, Concord Area Transit helped deliver packaged Thanksgiving meals throughout the community. In 2020, the restaurant prepared 72 turkeys and 300 pounds of mashed potatoes, squash, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pie for to-go orders.
Now, diners will be able to return to the restaurant for a sit-down meal for the first time since 2019, with a free round-trip ride to accompany their Thanksgiving meal.
“As a long-time resident of Concord, it has warmed my heart, year after year, to know the Windmill Restaurant is providing a full Thanksgiving meal to those in need that may not otherwise have one,” said Cindy Yanski, the Concord Area Transit mobility coordinator, in a press release. “It makes perfect sense for Concord Area Transit to partner with the Windmill to provide this free round-trip shuttle service to the Windmill Restaurant on Thanksgiving Day.”
Thursday will be the restaurant’s 32nd time preparing a free holiday meal. The annual tradition began when the Smirnioudis family, the Windmill’s owners, paired with the Friendly Kitchen to offer meals to the homeless. Now, anyone is welcome to dine on Thursday, regardless of income.
The Windmill Restaurant will be open from 11 to 3 p.m. Thursday, or until food runs out. They are also accepting cash and pie donations and welcome volunteers. To volunteer, call 603-225-0600.
Those in need of a free round-trip ride must reserve a seat on a Concord Area Transit bus by 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 23. Call 603-225-1989 to reserve a ride.