PORT TOWNSEND — A lively group of about 150 people shared an early Thanksgiving lunch at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Wednesday.
They shared a holiday connection among people who represented a cross section of Port Townsend.
“Everyone who waits on you here is not separated from you by your income or by education or what they feel about poor people,” said attendee Cass Peters.
“It’s unconditional love.”
In its sixth year of the event, the church served a traditional meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables and dessert.
It wasn’t completely traditional. Organizer Elizabeth Binschalder of Quilcene said the church didn’t cook whole turkeys, instead opting for 10-pound turkey breasts.
She said about 20 volunteers helped serve the meal although “with all the donations of food and money and help “I couldn’t begin to tell you how many people actually contributed.”
The church didn’t skimp on amenities, serving on round tables covered by tablecloths, cloth napkins and silverware.
“We want to make people feel special because they are,” Binschalder said.
Peters agreed that the accoutrements made her feel special.
“Poverty isolates you and denigrates you,” said Peters, who characterized herself as low income.
“Here everyone enjoys each other,” she said.
“There is no American weirdness about lack of money and we are treated like the gentle souls we are.”
For many attendees, Thanksgiving is about connection and camaraderie.
“I am here creating happy new Thanksgiving memories for myself,” said Padma Yong Chedtso of Port Townsend.
“This is such a wonderful community. We all know each other. We are all here together and this gives us a chance to catch up.”
“This is the way it should be,” she said.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
