WARREN — Members of the Brothers of the Hammer Warren Chapter came together Sunday afternoon to cook and serve a Thanksgiving meal for more than 150 residents of the city’s east side.

The dinner at the St. James Hall near St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish included turkey and mashed potatoes along with other holiday fare.

Vinny “DoughBoy” Turner, chapter president, said 10 club members and their spouses and friends volunteered to prepare the free meal as a way to give back to the community.

“This is the third time we have done this. I grew up in this neighborhood five houses from here and many of the people here live nearby,” Turner said.

Turner said he knows it can be challenging to prepare a Thanksgiving meal.

“We want them to know we care and are thinking about them at Thanksgiving,” Turner said.

Joseph “Low Down” Stevens of Youngstown and formerly of Warren, said community service was one of the reasons he joined the chapter.

“We do a lot for the kids, many of whom have absent parents,” Stevens said.

“We want the kids to know if they see us and need anything, they can come to us. They can speak to any of us and we will help them the best we can.”

Stevens said families at the dinner had the choice of staying and eating in the hall or taking their meals home.

“We are planning on adopting a family for Christmas and providing them with dinner as well,” he said.

Rachel Conerly of Warren said she was appreciative to be able to attend.

“This is great, and the food is good,” she said.

Krissie Stroud of Mineral Ridge helped serve rolls.

“Everyone was very thankful for the meal and getting to be here,” she said.

Turner said the chapter has hosted school supply and backpack giveaways, an Easter egg hunt and a Halloween party for local children.

The chapter is planning a youth winter gear giveaway with hats and gloves to be distributed 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 14 at 1137 Main Ave., Warren.