Though Thanksgiving is still a month away the Ironton Catholic Schools Support Organization would say it’s never too soon for turkey.

The staff, parents and volunteers of St. Joseph High School and St. Lawrence Elementary are planning the annual Turkey Dinner to benefit both schools. The dinner will be Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. at St. Joseph Church in Ironton.

The meal will be turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, a roll and dessert. Drinks are included with the dinners eaten at the church. Carry-out dinners are also available. The price is $7 for adults and $5 for children.

“We are a school running on a very minimal budget,” said Sissy Clyse, development director. She credits the Ironton Catholic Schools Support Organization and the Turkey Dinner for covering many athletic expenses, coaching salaries, supplies and activities for both schools and a variety of needs of teachers.

“Different extra things you wouldn’t have in your budget – ice machine, copy machine and appliances,” Clyse said.

Somewhere around 150 volunteers are hoping to serve about 2,000 dinners.

“We have generally 1,000 carry-outs and we have about 700 to 800 people (dining in),” Clyse said. “We are really blessed to have good parent volunteers. The parents help prepare all the food and the kids serve the food.”

There will also be a bake sale and a craft and vendor sale, featuring nearly 20 vendors, with products from Thirty-One, Lia Sophia, Mary Kay and many more.

Clyse said the event and the support organization is very important to keep the school going.

“It’s critical,” she said. “We wouldn’t be able to do a lot of things we are able to do without them.

“Our tuition,” she added, “while it is very much a sacrifice for parents of our area, it is very low considering the norm of other Catholic schools and we try to supplement it with things like this.”

Assistant principal Chris Monte said another plus of the Turkey Dinner is the tradition.

“It’s something people look forward to every year,” Monte said. “You see people you don’t always see out and about.

“There’s always good food,” he added. “It’s always just a nice day to get everyone in that fall kind of mood to come and enjoy the dinner.”