With Thanksgiving around the corner, local churches and agencies are providing free meals for people to the community.
- Immanuel Lutheran Church is hosting a free Thanksgiving community potluck. The potluck is from 1-2:30 p.m. Thursday at 8310 MacArthur Blvd. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for those wanting to help set up or play board games.
To sign up, call the church at 360-694-3661 or email office@immanuelvancouver.org.
- Living Hope Church will host its usual meal outreach from 5:30 to 7:30 Wednesday at 2711 N.E. Andresen Road.
- River City Church will host a Free Pupusa Lunch to celebrate Thanksgiving and Día de Acción de Gracias. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at 2400 E. Fourth Plain Blvd.
- Retired Judge Rich Melnick and Beaches restaurant owner Mark Matthias are once again providing free holiday meals for the community. Melnick and Matthias, along with a lot of volunteers, will serve food from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at FISH Westside Food Pantry, 906 Harney St.
Melnick and restaurateur Chuck Chronis started the free Thanksgiving meal event about 40 years ago. After Chronis retired, Matthias joined Melnick.
“The people who attend are just so appreciative,” said Melnick. “There are all kinds of people who (attend). People who need food, people who need company, newcomers to town who don’t know where to go.”
