Several groups in Clark County are making sure nobody is hungry or lonely for Thanksgiving. Here are four places you can go to eat a free Thanksgiving meal:
• Rich Melnick, Chuck Chronis and Mark Matthias are offering a free dinner between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thanksgiving Day in the dining room of WareHouse ’23, located at 100 Columbia St.
The dinner, which began in 1982, was originally a collaboration between the Chronis family and former Clark County Judge Rich Melnick, who now serves at the state Court of Appeals in Tacoma. Last year, the dinner was on hiatus due to Chronis’ having health issues, and his restaurant, where the dinner had previously been held, having closed in April 2015.
This year, Matthias, owner of Beaches Restaurant & Bar and WareHouse ’23, helped bring back the beloved event by offering his new restaurant space.
People can bring donations of toys, warm coats, socks, gloves, scarves, hats and undergarments to the restaurant; they’ll be given to those attending the dinner and anything leftover will be donated to people in need.
• For the seventh year in a row, Ohana Farms Northwest is holding a dinner and outreach event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thanksgiving Day at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 8701 N.E. 119th St.
“Ohana means no one is left behind. It’s family,” said Carolyn Carpio, who’s organizing the event. “It’s more than just a meal, it’s a celebration.”
She would like people to RSVP by calling her at 360-798-7622. Transportation can be arranged for people who can’t drive to the church.
Carpio aims to feed 200 people, as well as provide haircuts, clothing, nonperishable foods and gift cards. There will be a cakewalk, too.
“It’s a time to let go of all the stresses, have fun and relax,” she said.
• The Fraternal Order of the Eagles will serve breakfast from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday at 107 E. Seventh St. in downtown Vancouver. The Vancouver chapter didn’t serve breakfast last year due to remodeling, but before that the all-volunteer group had served Thanksgiving breakfast for more than a decade.
• The Proto-Cathedral of St. James the Greater holds a free Frassati Supper every Thursday, and Thanksgiving Day will be no different. Dinner will be served 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the downtown Vancouver church, located at 218 W. 12th St.
What’s Frassati? Pier Giorgio Frassati was an Italian social activist devoted to the poor. A layman, Frassati died in 1925 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1990.
Those interested in volunteering at the dinner can call 360-693-3052.
