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PARKERSBURG - Hundreds still gathered Thursday at the annual Salvation Army Thanksgiving Day Dinner for food and fellowship despite a significant drop in sit-down guests who are probably worried about the swine flu, officials said.

However, the number of home-delivered meals soared, said chapter Major Vernon Dolby.

"Home deliveries have increased dramatically, but we don't have as many people filling the gym as usual. I've heard that a lot of people are either sick with the flu, or concerns about swine flu are keeping people at home today."

Guests were served a hardy meal of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, yams and a roll. For dessert, there was pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

"We've got 2,200 pounds of turkey, which is enough to make about 2,000 meals. Last year we ran out of meals, but this year, I think we'll have plenty of food. We're going to serve what we have, and when it's gone, it's gone," said Dolby.

Diners came to the annual dinner not just for a hot meal, but for fellowship, too

"A lot of people get lonely around the holidays, and this is the perfect place to come," said Dolby. "People come here for companionship."

Volunteers from the community and from the Parkersburg chapter of the Salvation Army prepared turkey dinners for residents of Wood, Wirt, Pleasants, Calhoun, Jackson and Ritchie counties. More than 300 volunteers helped Thursday to help and another 150 cooked and decorated in the days leading to the dinner.

"Really, it's all about the volunteers who come out today. It's a beautiful thing to see so many people here helping out," he said. "A lot of them have been here since 7 a.m. cooking and setting up. Right now, they're packaging meals, dishing out food in the serving line or just walking around talking to people.

"It's a great thing to see the smiles as the volunteers hand food out to people," he said.

Michelle Myers of Sumter, S.C., has been volunteering since she was in high school.

"I read an article about the dinner when I was in high school, and I thought, I want to help out, too," said Myers. "The first year I volunteered, the guests were serving themselves as they went down the line. I said, there needs to be some changes. This should be a special dinner where the guests get served by others. Ever since then, I've been in charge of the dining room."

Myers brought her two children, who also helped serve food.

"I don't even live here anymore, but every year we come back to Parkersburg and visit family, and we always come here. When people ask me what my family tradition is, I say this is mine," Myers said, gesturing to the volunteers packaging meals.

Cynthia Free and her 12-year-old daughter, Avril Ash, were dishing up turkey and mashed potatoes during the dinner.

"I wanted us to do something special this year, as mother and daughter," said Free. "It's been a very positive experience. Everyone is so nice, and it just feels good to give back to the community."