An army of volunteers is putting the last touches on a Thanksgiving feast for thousands in Duluth. The annual free buffet started 34 years ago as a much smaller event in Superior, Wis.

Now, it draws hundreds of volunteers to cook, and serve as many as 7,000 turkey dinners. In 2009, MPR News’ Bob Kelleher went to the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center.

Minnesota Now and Then went back to that story to give an inside look at the preparations that are still taking place today and helping feed thousands.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation. The following transcript has been edited for clarity and length.

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