A generous donation allowed the Milford Senior Center to hold its first Thanksgiving Luncheon Wednesday.

Executive director Leonora Rodriguez says the event was the result of an endowment from former member and city resident Anthony Silvestre.

Rodriguez says Silvestre's wish was to provide meals each Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter for next 15 to 18 years.

She adds that the event provided people with more than just a free and hot meal.

"The sense of community sometimes gets lost when we get older. Our children grow up, our grandchildren move away, and then you're by yourself. If you lose your spouse, then all you have is yourself. Even neighbors nowadays don't speak to each other. But the senior center, we're here together," she said.

The luncheon was catered by Lassie's Restaurant, and 250 seniors were served.