CUMMING — A group of boys sat around a table Tuesday at Tam’s Backstage, enjoying a warm, home-cooked dinner as they talked with the neighboring girls; table. It’s a rare social event for these teenagers, and they soaked it up as much as their gravy with bread.

The two groups were part of more than 100 people who were served at the annual Helpings of Hope Dinner, a free event that provides a holiday meal to at-need children and families.

Volunteers and community members — from adults to their elementary school-aged children — committed themselves to ensuring diners were taken care of, whether they needed a sweet tea refill or a helping of pumpkin pie. Four or five children worked as swiftly as elves to dollop whipped cream and clear plates.

“It’s interesting to see how many people want to help,” said owner Kelly Tam, who never failed to offer an extra serving or simply a warm welcome. “There’s almost as many volunteers here as [diners].”

Her husband, District 2 County Commissioner Brian Tam, said they prepared 12 large turkeys for the dinner, which also included a ham dish, green beans and 200 pounds each of mashed and sweet potatoes.

And that’s not including the Senior Luncheon Tam’s played host to earlier in the day, offering the same setting for about 90 senior citizens. A woman even celebrated her 97th birthday at the meal.

Forsyth County Community Connection brought in youth and families from Bald Ridge Lodge, Jesse’s House, The Place of Forsyth County, SAFFT and Abba House, all local nonprofits that support the disadvantaged and at-need.

“It’s an experience that they don’t always have,” said Fonda Harrison, a board member for Community Connection and the associate superintendent for academics at Forsyth County Schools, “the opportunity to get out and see what it’s like to be a normal kid.

“Even with the affluence we have [in Forsyth County], we have families in need, and this is one meal where they can say, ‘I don’t have to plan for this.’”

Kristin Morrissey, a member of the Board of Education and Community Connection’s board, said the atmosphere the meal provides helps students do well. Having a strong family and support system, nutritious food and an interactive setting directly affects academic performance.

“Getting together as a family to relax gets them into the holiday spirit,” Morrissey said.

About 12 boys from Bald Ridge Lodge, a stable haven for boys in the foster care system and the juvenile justice center, attended the meal.

“They don’t spend the holidays with their families,” said Jinger Davison, a board member and past interim executive director for the nonprofit. “They come here, and someone is serving them everything. They’re talking with the girls and socializing. It’s a real treat.”