It was hard to miss a smiling Beth Hoseney, dishing out heavy helpings of turkey at the Vancouver Eagles Lodge free Thanksgiving dinner.
“We give to charities all the time,” the Vancouver resident said. “But today we get to see their faces. They’re very thankful. That’s why we’re happy. Woo-woo.”
Nearby, Alvaro Gomez-Bedolla of Vancouver looked pleased that his family of six had been treated to a holiday meal.
“Those kids like it too much,” he said, smiling. Things have been tough lately, he said. He’s not getting enough work in landscaping construction.
The Gomez-Bedolla family were among nearly 400 guests who took advantage of the Eagles’ meal.
“It’s been awesome, we’ve been packed all day,” said Dianna Bronkhorst, a co-chairwoman of the event. “We’ve probably given away a good 150 coats.”
She estimated about half of those who attended are living on the streets; blankets, hats and gloves also were given away.
The cooking staff was at the Seventh Street lodge in downtown Vancouver at 5 a.m.
After all, the Eagles had 38 turkeys, 50 pounds of potatoes, 25 hams and 45 pies to get ready. All the trimmings were served, too.
Bronkhorst said the lodge celebrated its 75th anniversary this year.
She said there were about 150 volunteers at the meal. The lodge has about 400 members.
Volunteers appeared grateful to serve.
“It makes me very thankful for what I have,” said Zach Dunford, 17. He volunteered as part of his senior project at Columbia River High School. Travis Padgett of Evergreen High also was volunteering as part of his senior project.
“You don’t realize how many homeless people there are,” Dunford said. “And they’re very nice people.”
A mother-daughter team from Wilsonville, Ore., learned of the Eagles meal and came to volunteer.
“It makes me feel really good that I can give back,” said Ashley McLain, 17, a junior at Wilsonville High. “And, it’s fun.”
Her mother, Lori Rademacher added, “We wanted to do something different this year.”
The two planned to visit grandparents in Vancouver after serving.
The Eagles’ Bronkhorst said she was impressed that Vancouver Mayor-elect Tim Leavitt served on the food line for nearly three hours.
“He started at ham and made it all the way to mashed potatoes,” said Leslie Morrison, a lodge trustee.
This was the fourth year the lodge has hosted a Thanksgiving meal. And Bronkhorst said the meal tradition will continue in 2010.
There were other efforts to feed the hungry around the county:
Battle Ground City Grill
Jorgan Cattin, the restaurant’s event coordinator, said about 100 arrived for a full turkey meal.
“People loved it,” he said.
Leftovers will be used to make turkey pizza at Cattin’s Salmon Creek eatery, The Good Pizza Company. Yep, they will be making turkey pizza with stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce. And half the proceeds from the sale of those pizzas will go to the North County Community Food Bank, 17 N.E. Third Ave., in Battle Ground.
About 400 families a month use that food bank, said Executive Director Elaine Hertz.
Chronis
Chuck Chronis opened the doors of his restaurant on Thanksgiving for the 26th time and welcomed an estimated 500 guests. And he said there was enough food left over to provide 250 meals at the YWCA’s SafeChoice Domestic Violence Shelter.
Chronis has owned his downtown Vancouver eatery for 40 years. He put on Thursday’s feed with District Court Judge Rich Melnick and 16 volunteers.
Asked to describe the event, Chronis said, “Ah, fantastic. It was wonderful.”
And on Christmas Day, another free meal will be served to the hungry at Chronis’.
Other efforts
Share House served a free meal at its shelter at 115 W. 13th St. in downtown Vancouver.
Camas Assembly of God delivered meals Wednesday night.
The Knights of Columbus of Camas-Washougal delivered meals on Thursday.
The Salvation Army delivered 300 food boxes.
Lapellah Restaurant in Vancouver delivered full turkey meals to 12 families.
And Battle Ground police Officer Montie Elford again this year expanded his beat to deliver a Thanksgiving meal from City Grill to a homeless man who has a camping spot at the south edge of Battle Ground.
“Battle Ground officers really go above and beyond” to help, Cattin, of Battle Ground City Grill, said.
