Thanksgiving is over for this year, but McSeagull's proprietor Ralph Smith is still thankful for what transpired that day at his restaurant.

For the past six years, McSeagull's has hosted a huge Thanksgiving meal for anyone who wanted it — and it's all free. People can eat to their hearts' content and pay nothing, or leave a cash donation if they choose.

Smith does this to benefit local charities. This year he said they raised $10,000 to be distributed to Meals on Wheels, the Boothbay Region Food Pantry, the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library and the Boothbay Region Elementary School Kids Fund, which benefits needy families.

Smith said that 40 volunteers cooked for and served the 478 people who came to dine on 16 thirty-pound turkeys with all the fixings. Afterwards, the volunteers cleaned up, too.

The Thanksgiving event provides people in need with a huge meal, gives people who simply don't want to deal with the preparation and clean-up a place to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal cooked and served, and local charities reap the benefits.

And according to Smith, this year was a little better than years past.

“This year there were a lot of people eating here who were less fortunate, which I'm happy about,” he said.