By KLINT SPILLER

kspiller@dailynews.net

PLAINVILLE -- The Rev. Ben MacConnell said the annual Thanksgiving soup dinner is more than just a fundraiser and food drive -- it is a way to thank the community for its support.

The ministerial alliance of Plainville, Natoma, Waldo, Codell and Paradise will host its annual Thanksgiving celebration at 6 p.m. Sunday at United Methodist Church, 1002 S. Madison in Plainville.

"This has been a way the ministerial alliance has been able to thank the communities for their support of our programs," MacConnell said. "It is also a way that we can celebrate God's provision for us."

The dinner will include soup, pies and cinnamon rolls, and there also will be a musical concert featuring performers from all the local churches beginning at 6:45 p.m. The groups will perform separately before joining together as one choir.

"It is really a neat thing," MacConnell said.

The dinner will be followed by a non-denominational prayer service.

Admission for the dinner is a canned food item, which will be donated to the food pantry in Plainville. The ministerial alliance also will accept freewill donations.

Money raised will be used to help with rent, utility and emergency health payments for those in need.

MacConnell said in the past, the event has accounted for nearly 33 percent of the ministerial alliance's fundraising for the year.

"I don't think you can find communities that have a more giving heart than these communities," he said.