Thanksgiving will start early in Port Angeles and Port Townsend with two community meals planned Wednesday.
Other free community feasts throughout the North Olympic Peninsula are set for Thursday.
Wednesday meals
Wednesday’s meals, free and open to the public, are set at the Salvation Army in Port Angeles and at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Port Townsend.
The Salvation Army, at 206 S. Peabody St., Port Angeles, traditionally hosts its public meal on Thanksgiving Eve to allow diners to have another hot meal on Thanksgiving Day, for those who otherwise might not have a feast and to give those who also have family or friends in the area to spend Thanksgiving with loved ones.
And the organization will have plenty on hand for the 200 people expected at the holiday meal.
It put out a call last Sunday through the Peninsula Daily News and KONP radio for donations, saying it had no turkeys on hand for the Thanksgiving meal.
As of Wednesday, it had received more than 70 turkeys and hams, as well as a few chickens, according to Major Scott Ramsey.
Wednesday’s feast with all the trimmings will be from noon to 4 p.m. at the Salvation Army.
Volunteers are welcome to help with the meal.
For more information, phone 360-452-7679.
The special free meal at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1020 Jefferson St., Port Townsend, takes the place of its regular Wednesday soup service.
It will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature turkey and all the trimmings.
Linda McKenzie, organizer and cook, expects 100 to 125 people at the dinner, the church’s fourth.
For more information, phone 360-385-0770.
Thanksgiving Day
On Thanksgiving Day, a plethora of public feasts are planned on the Peninsula:
PORT ANGELES
Queen of Angels
PORT ANGELES — The sixth annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be served in the Queen of Angels gym, 209 W. 11th St., from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Doors will open for the traditional Thanksgiving meal at 11 a.m.
The dinner is free and open to the public.
Attendees will receive a gift ticket when they enter and can select an item from a gift table at the event. Coats, hats and gloves will be distributed to the needy.
A visit from Santa Claus is set for noon to 2 p.m.
Volunteers are needed to help with the meal, and donations of food, gifts and coats, hats and gloves are sought.
For more information, phone organizer Reath Ellefson at 360-460-3558.
SEQUIM
Thanksgiving RSVPs
SEQUIM — A Thanksgiving dinner will be served at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave., at 4 p.m.
The meal will include turkey, dressing, vegetables, salads, cranberries, desserts and beverages.
Reservations are requested to ensure enough food is prepared and may be made by phoning the church at 360-683-5367 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. the Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday before the dinner or by email to dinners@sequimtumc.org.
The church normally presents free community dinners on the last Thursday of each month, but because of the Christmas season, no dinner is planned in December.
Harvest dinner set
SEQUIM — Sunshine Cafe will present its 11th annual Free Harvest Dinner from noon to 5 p.m.
Donations for Project Violet will be accepted in memory of Violet O’Dell, who died from a rare brain cancer in October 2012 when she was 11 years old.
Reservations to the cafe at 360-683-4282 are suggested.
Hardy’s hosts feast
SEQUIM — Hardy’s Market, 10200 Old Olympic Highway, will serve a free dinner from 11 a.m. until supplies are gone.
The meal is to thank customers for their support.
A meal is also planned for Christmas Eve.
For more information, phone the market at 360-582-0240.
CHIMACUM
Tri-Area feast
CHIMACUM — The annual dinner at the Tri-Area Community Center, 10 West Valley Road, will be held from noon to 3 p.m.
The meal is sponsored by the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church and Olympic Community Action Programs.
The menu includes turkey, ham, salad, rolls, carrots, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, coffee, tea and pumpkin pie.
If you need a meal delivered to your home or want to volunteer, phone 360-385-2571, ext. 6357.
BRINNON
Brinnon meal slated
BRINNON — A community feast is planned at the Brinnon Community Center, 306144 U.S. Highway 101, at 3 p.m.
Turkey, dressing, gravy and mashed potatoes will be provided.
Participants are encouraged to bring side dishes such as salads, desserts and beverages.
A crowd is expected, as two restaurants normally open for Thanksgiving will be closed.
The meal is free and open to the public, and no one will be turned away.
To RSVP, phone 360-796-4350 as soon as possible.
FORKS
Forks churches meal
FORKS — A free dinner will be held at the Forks Community Center, 91 Maple St., from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The meal is free and open to the public.
It is sponsored by the churches of Forks.
Those wishing to donate food items or monetary donations can drop them off at the community center kitchen from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday.
