Students and staff turned the Old Rochester Regional Junior High School’s cafeteria into a festive banquet hall for the annual senior citizen Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday.

According to Principal Kevin Brogioli, this is the 24th annual holiday dinner, open to all tri-town seniors.

Nearly 50 people volunteered to serve. While most of them were eighth grade students, Brogioli noted that several cafeteria workers and some staff stepped forward to help, too.

About 250 residents arrived for the traditional turkey dinner.

Brogioli said the event offered diners more than a meal.

“The best part, for me, is seeing the students interact with the seniors,” he said. “It’s good for the community and both groups definitely benefit from that interaction.”

At the end of the dinner, mystery gift bags were raffled off to the diners.