It wouldn’t be a Vancouver Thanksgiving without a heaping helping of ham and potatoes — plus some extra-big sides of friendship and generosity — at Chronis’ Restaurant.
Thanksgiving Day is days away, and preparations are under way for the annual free meal at the down-home downtown diner and tavern — and at churches, clubs and charitable agencies all over Clark County.
This year will be the 27th in a row that restaurateur Chuck Chronis has offered a free Thanksgiving meal at his place on Main Street. He always makes a point of saying that everybody is welcome at his table, no questions asked — even if your bank account is plenty stuffed but your heart is hungry for some holiday companionship.
Chronis always makes sure he’s got far too much food on hand, and the leftovers go to local charities. Last year he served approximately 500 guests, and sent meals for 250 more to the YWCA domestic violence shelter. This year he’s expecting 500 again — but if there are twice that many, they’ll all get fed.
Yeah, but — ham?
“Our thinking is that everybody else is serving turkey and it’s a nice change for people,” said Rich Melnick, Chronis’ ongoing partner in the effort, and a superior court judge. “Our goal is to put good, warm food in people’s bellies. Regardless of what we serve, people appreciate it.”
Here’s a roundup of the offerings The Columbian has heard about so far. Many of these groups are looking for volunteers as well as hungry diners. If you’re offering a free holiday meal and are in need of help — with the feeding or the eating — call 360-735-4525 or send us an e-mail at metrodesk@columbian.com.
Free dinner sites
• Chronis’ Restaurant, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 25, 819 Main Street, Vancouver: Free ham dinner, all the fixin’s, non-alcoholic beverages.
• Eagles Lodge, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 25, 107 E. Seventh Street, Vancouver: Thanksgiving brunch with traditional breakfast as well as turkey and ham. Also, clothing and blankets will be given to the needy, while supplies last.
• Share House, breakfast from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. and a holiday meal from 3:30 p.m. to the end of the line on Nov. 25. Share House is at 1113 W. 13th Street.
• Lord’s Gym, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 25, 2410 Grand Boulevard: Thanksgiving dinner.
• The Knights of Columbus will deliver hot Thanksgiving meals to homebound residents in the Camas-Washougal area, working out of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church at 324 N.E. Oak St. Donations of turkeys and pies — and delivery labor — are gratefully accepted. To volunteer, call Al Schmid at 360-835-5346. To request a dinner, call Schmid, or East County Social Services at 360-835-7802, or the Interfaith Treasure House at 360-834-4181. You’ll be asked for the number of people in the household, address and phone number. Or, drop off money for the “Knights of Columbus Camas and Washougal Thanksgiving Dinner Fund” at any Riverview Community Bank branch.
