History
The concept for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner began with a 1998 article published in the Island Packet newspaper that described lonely locals who had no place to go on Thanksgiving Day.
Early the following year, Brian Carmines, then-owner of Hudson’s, Allan LaCoe, and Betsy Doughtie, the former executive director of The Deep Well Project, met to discuss opportunities to organize a community-wide event. St. Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church soon signed on to spearhead the volunteer organization, and Hudson’s offered to host the first dinner. Five hundred meals were served that Thanksgiving Day in 1999.
More than 300 volunteers now contribute their time by assisting with parking, welcoming guests, serving the meals, and a variety of other tasks. Many volunteers have participated in the event for years and even travel to Hilton Head annually just to attend this special event. The volunteer roster is full by mid-October.
Community Thanksgiving celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024. Co-founders Allan and Gloria LaCoe organized and led the event for 25 years and retired from their leadership roles in December 2024. We thank them for their vision, dedication, and commitment to the community and the Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, and we look forward to continuing this wonderful tradition for many years to come!
St. Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church is an open, nurturing body of Christian believers seeking God’s guidance as we minister to others.
Our purpose is to grow a welcoming community where people of all ages and stages on their faith journey can come to experience the love, grace, and compassion of Jesus Christ. We provide various worship and other spiritual growth opportunities communicating the Gospel to inspire and encourage a deeper understanding of God while developing relationships with each other, leading to service locally and beyond.
St. Andrew By-The-Sea UMC is proud to be a founding partner and to support our mission of service to others through this annual event.
In-person and online services are held on Sundays at 9 a.m. (Traditional worship) and 11:09 a.m. (Modern worship). Adult Bible classes and kids’ programs are offered on Sundays in addition to many small groups and studies, community outreach, and music ministry programs throughout the week.
Find out the latest on our activities, ministries, and missions at https://standrewbytheseaumc.org, which includes links to our monthly newsletter, The Fisherman. St. Andrew offers a variety of opportunities to grow and to live out your faith!
20 Pope Avenue
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Map it
Questions About St. Andrew?
Call the church at 843-785-4711, or email us at standrewbythesea@gmail.com
Hudson’s Seafood
House on the Docks
Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks has been a family affair since the venerable J.B. Hudson, Sr. put his name on the door of the old Hudson’s Oyster Factory back in the 1920s when it was a seafood processing plant.
For more than 45 years, Hudson’s has also been a tradition for islanders and visitors as Hilton Head’s most renowned seafood eatery. Almost all of the seafood comes from local waters, and all food is prepared from scratch on the premises.
All tables feature extraordinary views of Skull Creek providing a truly unique Lowcountry dining experience. Hudson’s employs the largest and one of only two remaining fishing fleets on the island. This ensures that Hudson’s serves seafood fresh from the docks to your table. Share the excitement as the crews unload thousands of oysters, shrimp and soft-shell crabs from the day’s catch. Bring your family and friends for a special Lowcountry treat that has been a tradition for island-goers for many years.
Hudson’s is open daily:
Lunch: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Dinner: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday Brunch: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Superbowl Sunday.
1 Hudson Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Map it
Questions About Hudson’s?
Call 843-681-2772 for more information or visit www.hudsonsonthedocks.com.
Who We Help
This Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner not only feeds those who are unable to feed themselves on Thanksgiving Day, but also helps needy families throughout the year by supporting The Deep Well Project, Bluffton Self Help, and Second Helpings.
All funds collected through this website and on Thanksgiving Day are distributed to these local nonprofits:
Bluffton Self Help is the Lowcountry’s leading community-centered organization, promoting self-sufficiency through direct services, advocacy and alliances that eliminate economic vulnerability and improve the quality-of-life for all neighbors in need.
Second Helpings is a nonprofit food rescue and distribution network striving to eliminate hunger and food waste in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Second Helpings collects and distributes food that would have otherwise ended up in landfills, and provides it, free of charge, to 54 food pantries, soup kitchens, and family and senior programs.
The Deep Well Project was founded in 1973, digging wells to provide clean, safe water for the Hilton Head Island community. Since then, it has been the source of emergency assistance to the local community and is supported by individuals, businesses, religious institutions, foundations, clubs, schools and various other organizations.
Partners
Please join us in thanking our partners who make this event possible!
Make a donation today!
Donations benefit Bluffton Self Help, Second Helpings, and The Deep Well Project.