Calling all turkeys

Snow? Got it.

Cold? Check.

Christmas stuff filling up store shelves? Roger that.

It's turkey time.

Right on cue, Mother Nature and the calendar have conspired to put North Idahoans in the spirit of giving. It's a good thing, too, because the need around here is as profound as ever.

Tomorrow between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., you can fill up with delicious hot soup and stoke the warming fires for others by joining us at the annual St. Vincent de Paul Soup Off at the North Idaho Fairgrounds. For just $10, you can sample 32 amazing soups and vote on which you think are best. All the money raised will be dedicated to keeping the charity's warming centers open.

Area food banks are anticipating enormous traffic again this holiday season and are eagerly requesting donated turkeys and fixins from benevolent friends. Let's try to make it a little easier on food bank staff and volunteers and make our donations pronto. The sooner our food centers can stock the shelves, the more certain they'll be of providing for everyone who otherwise would do without a hot, hearty meal on Thanksgiving Day.

We'd like to put one other Thanksgiving holiday reminder on your radar. Fedora Pub and Grille, located on Kathleen Avenue just west of Ramsey Road, is again offering a free dinner Thanksgiving Day to anyone who wants it, no questions asked. The invitation includes individuals who might not be destitute but would otherwise spend the day of thankfulness alone.

Last year Fedora and its army of awesome volunteers fed more than 1,000 people. This year, they're planning for half again as many. For more information about the dinner or to donate, call Kerry at 966-4078.

So what are you waiting for? Let's go! Let's feed the hungry and keep them warm.