There were infants and seniors. First-timers and long-timers. Families, couples and people who came alone.

Some 2,000 residents from across the island gathered Thursday to share a feast, make friends and give thanks at the 41st annual Salvation Army Thanksgiving dinner.

Attendance this year was about the same as in 2010.

For some the gathering was a chance to get a hearty, special meal with all the fixings. For others the meal was less about holiday food and more about holiday cheer.

"You don’t know your neighbor but you talk story," said Pat Cortez, 69, who was attending the event for a third year.

Millie Melim, 74, lost her husband a few years ago and doesn’t have any family in Hawaii, so jumped at the chance to come when someone recently told her about the dinner.

"I want to socialize," Melim said, sitting with a few newfound friends, adding, "I thank God that I am still here."

Coming to the dinner has been a 14-year tradition for Walter Camava, 57. He usually comes with his kids, but this year his children are attending dinners with friends.

So Camava came for the entertainment and to get a Thanksgiving meal "with the whole nine yards." As he stood in line to get in the door, Camava said, "I’m so glad that we have this once a year to help the poor people out."

The Thanksgiving festivities, at the Blaisdell Center exhibition hall, kicked off at about 10 a.m. with performances from Hapa and the Honolulu Boy Choir.

Shortly before noon, Salvation Army Capt. Shane Halverson began the ceremonial procession of the meal’s first turkey to the stage, where Mayor Peter Carlisle carved — and tasted — it, before volunteers began to serve meals.

Dinners were dished and delivered to diners, who filled long, collapsible tables in the exhibition hall. On the menu: more than 900 pounds of turkey, 500 pounds of stuffing, 45 gallons of gravy and 2,500 rolls with butter. Also served were rice, green beans, pineapple and pumpkin pie.

Salvation Army’s first Thanksgiving meal on Oahu, in 1970, attracted about 500 people. By 1976 the crowds had grown to 1,500. In addition to the big Blaisdell dinners, Salvation Army serves and delivers meals statewide.

Salvation Army Maj. Edward Hill, the division commander, said that the tough economic times make the Thanksgiving meal "more relevant than it has ever been."

In a speech to attendees, Hill said, "I don’t know your situation. I don’t know your challenges. But this is a day to thank God for the abundant blessings he has given to us."

Before dinner was served, the Fuller family (whose 14 members filled a whole table in the hall) was laughing and joking around, reconnecting over candy and punch.

Solomon Fuller, 45, said the family comes every year. Many of the family’s members are older now and don’t get to see each other as often as they used to. The Thanksgiving meal, Fuller said, is about "bringing the family together."

To put the dinner on, Salvation Army relies on a contingent of more than 800 volunteers who welcome people, serve them drinks and bring them their meals.

Among the volunteer waiters this year were father-daughter team Lek and McKenzie Friel, who also pitched in last year. McKenzie, 17, said volunteering "makes you feel good." Her father added he volunteers "just to be able to give back to people less fortunate than we are."

After the Salvation Army dinner, the two planned to sit down to their own Thanksgiving meal with friends.