Organizers of the largest free community Thanksgiving meals on the North Olympic Peninsula say there is plenty of turkey to go around this year.
Unlike 2013, there will be plenty of food for the Salvation Army’s Thanksgiving Eve public feast from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday at 206 S. Peabody St., Port Angeles.
In 2013, the Salvation Army put out a call for donations as Thanksgiving approached, and members of the public stepped up and flooded the organization with turkeys just in the nick of time.
This year, many of those people remembered.
“We had 40 turkeys dropped off today,” Major Scott Ramsey said Thursday.
Twenty of those turkeys will be defrosted for the feast with all the trimmings.
Ramsey said the feast will feed 200 people, many of whom are regular visitors to the Salvation Army’s regular hot-meal customers.
Volunteers are welcome to help with the meal.
In addition to the feast, the Salvation Army also provides supplies for about 100 families to make their own meals.
For more information, phone 360-452-7679.
Queen of Angels
Organizers of Thursday’s free community meal at the Queen of Angeles parish hall at 209 W. 11th St. in Port Angeles also are well-prepared.
The meal will be from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and all are welcome.
“We have about 40 turkeys and about 12 hams,” said Reath Ellefson, who began the meals at the church in 2008.
“Donations are still coming in, which is really good,” she added.
Last year, the feast served more than 800 people, so this year, Ellefson is “expecting that or more.”
Along with a Thanksgiving meal, gifts and clothing — such as coats, hats, gloves, scarves — will be given away, along with “faith, hope and love bags” containing personal grooming items.
A visit from Santa Claus is planned at 12:30 p.m.
For more information, phone Ellefson 360-460-3558 or email reathellefson@hotmail.com.
Tri-Area center
Organizers of the public Thanksgiving Day feast at the Tri-Area Community Center at 10 West Valley Road in Chimacum say a lack of food has never been a problem.
Center Director James Jenkins said the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church and Olympic Community Action Programs have collected donations to ensure enough turkey, ham, dressing, potatoes, cranberries and other sides for an expected 325 people from noon to 3 p.m.
Live old-timey music will provide a festive atmosphere at the center, which hosts the largest Thanksgiving and Christmas meals in East Jefferson County every year.
“It’s always been 200 or 300,” Jenkins said.
A team of about 50 volunteers will deliver Thanksgiving meals to those who can’t make it to the center, Jenkins added.
To donate or have a meal delivered, phone 360-385-2571, ext. 6357.
Forks expects 150
On the West End, Forks-area churches have secured enough food for an expected 150 guests at the Feeding the 5,000 Thanksgiving Day dinner.
The dinner will be from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Forks Community Center, 91 Maple Ave.
“The churches really stepped up to supply the need for Thanksgiving,” said Tom Lafrenz, pastor of Forks Church of the Nazarene.
The dinner is free, though donations will be accepted at the center.
Several other community dinners are planned for Thanksgiving.
Here is a list:
SEQUIM
Trinity United
SEQUIM — A traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner will be served at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave., at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Reservations, which are requested to ensure that enough food is prepared, can 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 emailing dinners@sequimtumc.org.
The free dinner is part of Trinity’s community dinner program.
Dinners normally are served on the last Thursday of each month, but because of other holiday season activities, there will be no dinner in December.
Sunshine Cafe
SEQUIM — Sunshine Cafe, 145 W. Washington St., will offer a free Harvest Dinner from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday.
This dinner is dedicated to Mary Beth as she fights to overcome cancer.
Reservations are suggested via 360-683-4282.
Hardy’s Market
SEQUIM — Hardy’s Market, 10200 Old Olympic Highway, will have a free Thanksgiving dinner Thursday.
The meals begin at 11 a.m. and will be available for dining in or takeout while supplies last.
PORT TOWNSEND
St. Paul’s Church
PORT TOWNSEND — A “Just Soup” Thanksgiving meal will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1020 Jefferson St., from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday.
This is a free Thanksgiving meal open to anyone.
Whether a vegetarian, vegan or omnivore, attendees will find a hearty, warm meal at this communitywide event.
For more information, phone 360-385-0770.
BRINNON
Brinnon center
BRINNON — The Brinnon Community Center, 306144 U.S. Highway 101, will hold a free turkey dinner at 3 p.m. Thursday.
The turkey is provided by the Brinnon Senior Association.
Monetary donations for the food bank are encouraged.
For more information, phone Patsy Wells at 360-796-0474.
Joy Luck dinner
CHIMACUM — The Joy Luck restaurant will offer a free Thanksgiving meal at 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
The restaurant is at 81 Chimacum Road.
For more information, phone 360-379-1009.
