The Watertown Salvation Army is looking for a little dessert for its annual Thanksgiving Day dinner.

Lts. Zeb and Summer Hough said final preparations are under way for the free dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the agency, 723 State St., but the agency needs assistance to get an assortment of pies and whipped cream topping. They said green beans and squash are also needed.

“It’s been great seeing the volume of volunteers so far,” Mr. Hough said. “So far, we’ve had 65 volunteers as of Tuesday, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we doubled that.”

Volunteers have been, or will be, used for donating food or money, preparing the meal, serving the meal and cleaning up the Salvation Army the following day.

The dinner will feature 23 23-pound turkeys, more than 200 pounds of potatoes, 100 loaves of bread for homemade stuffing, 40 cases of Stove Top stuffing, vegetables and coffee, tea and juice.

“Gravy’s being done in-house,” Mr. Hough said. “We’re collecting all the turkey drippings to make the gravy.”

A summer golf tournament to benefit the Thanksgiving dinner raised $500 for the effort. Some individual donors also contributed money, and more would be welcome and appreciated, he said.

Last year, the Salvation Army served 600 dinners, a number the Houghs said they expect to surpass this year.

“We already have quite a few carry-out orders placed,” Mr. Hough said. “They started coming in two weeks ago.”

People may order carry-out or eat at the agency, and volunteers will deliver meals to the homebound.

Other dinner preparations include the agency’s Supper Club youth participants decorating the gymnasium for the occasion.Throughout the dinner, Salvation Army representatives will talk about the organization’s programs and services and educate people about how to find services.

To volunteer at the dinner or donate pies or other goods, call the Houghs at the agency at 782-4470.

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