BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – In Bay St. Louis, one community Thanksgiving dinner has been keeping bellies full and spirits high for nearly 40 years — all thanks to the Kelly family.

It’s Thanksgiving Day, and for Julie Massengill, it’s just another day of service. She’s working to feed hundreds of community members at her family’s annual Bay St. Louis Thanksgiving Dinner, a tradition started by her late mother Sally Kelly 39 years ago.

“It feels amazing to be a part of something that’s been going on for so long,” said Massengill.

Bay St. Louis resident Robert Bins says he’s been attending the Kelly family dinner since 2005. He feels a spirit of warmth each year.

“It’s a place to come, a place to be with people . . . [to be] with my family,” he explains.

Beth Watson and her husband are from Waveland and they’re attending for the first time. They’ve fallen in love with the hospitality and the family’s efforts to give to the community.

“It’s just like a welcoming thing,” said Watson. “That in itself just has to say something for our area.”

Sally Kelly passed away at the age of 90 in 2023. However, Massengill is continuing the legacy by feeding the multitudes.

“We’re hoping to do over 800 [people],” she added. “We’ve got enough food for 1,000, so we’ll see.”

The family says it’s been pushing out delivery orders, and this year, they delivered over 200 meals before 11 a.m.

“It’s almost overwhelming knowing that many people rely on us,” said Massengill’s son Brinson Smith.

Smith started volunteering when he was very young. Now, it warms his heart to see youngsters honoring his grandmother by inspiring service.

“We had kids back into it helping again, and we’re getting to see that,” he said. “The younger generation is really learning what we’re doing and being a part of it. I know she would love to see her legacy going in this direction.”

Guests like the Watsons say that legacy is what will bring them back for many more Thanksgivings to come.

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