CHIMACUM — The turkey, ham and fixin’s are ready. Some 300 guests are expected — depending on the weather.
About 40 volunteers will begin serving the Tri-Area Community Thanksgiving dinner at noon today to both satisfy physical hunger and provide a sense of family for those far from relatives.
It will go on until 3 p.m. at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road.
“This isn’t just for people who are desperate,” said organizer Hugh Murphy, who with four others spent Wednesday morning carving turkey and ham.
“It’s for people who may not have anywhere else to go — where they can sit and enjoy the meal with other people in the community.”
Murphy, who has volunteered for the past four years, said that many people who have money and families choose to come to the dinner for its friendly spirit and good food.
While the Tri-Area feast preparations were under way Wednesday, some 30 people ate a Thanksgiving lunch at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Port Townsend.
Church members cooked turkey and fixings.
Deacon Karen Pierce said the church serves a free hot meal each Wednesday to coincide with the distribution times for the food bank and decided to put on a Thanksgiving meal as a special treat for its regular visitors.
The Tri-Area dinner also will be free, with donations accepted, so those who can afford to pay can do so, while no one must pay.
Murphy said that after all donations are received, the event pays for itself.
Although the group is cooking for 300, Murphy thought the inclement weather could discourage some who otherwise might attend.
A storm dropped about 4 inches of snow on the Port Townsend, Chimacum and Port Hadlock areas and blew in a blast of frigid air that iced roads.
Although the National Weather Service predicted a high temperature above freezing today, ice is expected on roads this morning.
The dinner is sponsored by St. Vincent de Paul, St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Olympic Peninsula Community Action Programs senior nutrition program and the community center.
Murphy said that people are so eager to participate that the event reached its volunteer capacity several weeks ago.
Regardless of the number attending, there will be enough food, “and no one will be turned away,” Murphy said.
A community feast is also planned at the Brinnon Community Center, 306144 U.S. Highway 101, beginning at 3 p.m.
This event is open to all who want to attend, but they must have provided advance notice by now, organizer Patsy Wells said.
“We will be able to accommodate a few stragglers,” she said.
“But we are requiring people to sign up so we know how much food to prepare.”
Last year, the volunteers cooked 75 pounds of turkey, and only a few people showed up.
This year, they are cooking 40 pounds for the 35 or 40 people who have indicated they will attend.
It is a combination potluck. Turkey will be served, and attendees are urged to bring hot dishes to share.
“We will have mostly seniors, people in their 70s and 80s, who are away from their families,” Wells said.
“It is important that they are not alone for Thanksgiving and have someone to share the meal with.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
