PORT TOWNSEND — While families throughout town privately prepared for Thanksgiving Day festivities, a local church offered Wednesday a preview of the season with a free feast offered to anyone who stopped by.
About 15 people were at the door of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1020 Jefferson St., as it opened at 11:30 a.m., ready to eat traditional turkey and trimmings or, if they chose, vegan or vegetarian options.
“This is a wonderful thing,” said Bob Triggs of Port Townsend, who was one of the early diners.
“It fulfills a sense of community and provides a place where everyone can be together while filling needs on lots of different levels.”
Organizer Linda McKenzie expected between 100 and 125 people to show up throughout the day, to be served by 18 volunteers, who began preparing the dinner Tuesday.
McKenzie said the amount of food prepared is “so we have just enough to serve the last person who comes in.”
The food permit doesn’t allow the church to store or reheat the food, so the amount has been carefully determined throughout the years.
The event is not only for those who fall under the traditional definition of needy, McKenzie said.
“We serve people with all kinds of needs, from those who are homeless to others who just want social interaction,” she said.
“We don’t turn anyone away.”
For one day a year, the annual Thanksgiving celebration replaces the regular Wednesday afternoon soup service, which has become a part of the Port Townsend Uptown community.
“It serves the people who come to eat, and it serves the people who serve,” the Rev. Dianne Andrews said of the weekly meal.
“The gifts go both ways.”
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
