More demand for free turkey dinners

This year's Thanksgiving will probably bring more people out for free community dinners planned for Yuba-Sutter residents in need.

"We served 565 people last year, and I am preparing for 800 this year," said Les Robison, chairman of the annual Thanksgiving Day dinner at Elks Lodge No. 783 in Marysville.

"I looked at the economy the way it is right now," figured 10 percent more than last year "and went over," he said. "We know there's a lot of people out there in need."

The dinner also attracts military personnel who are away from home and alone.

The dinner on Thursday in Marysville will have at least 40 turkeys, along with all the trimmings for anyone in the community. In addition, between 200 and 250 dinners will be delivered to senior citizens at their homes by members of the Marysville Kiwanis Club, with help from Rotarians and other volunteers.

Donations of turkeys, up to 15 pounds each, and other foods can still be dropped off through today for the holiday dinner. Homemade goods are not accepted. Call 743-5134 to make a donation or volunteer to help at the dinner.

It's not just the homeless who will attend a holiday dinner, "but people out of apartments and homes who are downtrodden," said Pastor Ron Brasier of A Hand Up Ministry to the Homeless at the River Bottoms Church near the Feather River.

The ministry, now in its fourth year, regularly serves meals to the homeless every other Saturday. An average of 85 to 130 people attend the church's service, Brasier said, with more expected at the Thanksgiving dinner.

The River Bottoms Church is accepting donations of turkey and trimmings for its holiday dinners planned in celebration of Thanksgiving this Saturday and the Christmas dinner on Dec. 27.

Community Thanksgiving dinners are also planned Tuesday at Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Olivehurst and Wednesday at the Twin Cities Rescue Mission in Marysville.

Early holiday dinners for people in need and the homeless included the fourth annual dinner for the homeless on Nov. 19 sponsored by the Yuba City Seventh-day Adventist Church in Yuba City; and the 10th annual dinner held this past Saturday at the Good Seed Church's Manna House in Linda.

"I would love to see the economy where we don't have to" have the dinner sponsored by the Elks Lodge, Robison said. "There's always people who will be in need. I don't think this dinner will ever go away."

Thanksgiving dinners for those in need

• Tuesday — 1 to 4 p.m. at Mount Olivet Baptist Church, 2284 McGowan Parkway in Olivehurst. Donations are not needed. Call Mary Black or Jewel Barabin at 743-7722.

• Wednesday — 11 a.m. at the Twin Cities Rescue Mission, 940 14th St., Marysville. Donations of ham, turkeys and other foodstuff are needed. Call 743-8777.

• Thursday — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Elks Lodge No. 783, 920 D St., Marysville. Call 743-5134 to make a donation or volunteer.

• Saturday — 11 a.m. at the River Bottoms Church near the Feather River, on Lynn Way off of Market Street in Yuba City. Donations of turkeys and dinner trimmings are still sought. Call 613-2859.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Leticia Gutierrez at 749-4722 or at lgutierrez@appealdemocrat.com