Fedora's free Thanksgiving dinner today

The Fedora kitchen was in full swing earlier this week, boiling vats of potatoes, roasting turkeys, and cooling giant pans of stuffing. It takes a lot of food to feed 1,500 people on Thanksgiving Day. For those who might be alone or unable to prepare a meal, there’s a place to go to celebrate the holiday with others.

Fedora owner John Malee has been in the business for six years, and as a way to give back to the community, he has held a free Thanksgiving every year since it opened.

“We want people to feel like an extension of our family,” Malee said. “We use fresh ingredients, china plates, cloth napkins. People can watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the morning and football in the afternoon. It’s like being at Grandma’s house.”

Fedora chefs and staff, as well as hundreds of volunteers from the community, donate time and resources.

Gina Mathers, bookkeeper at Windermere Coeur d’Alene Realty, said her family has been volunteering since the beginning, and it’s now a tradition.

“It’s amazing to hear people’s stories; sometimes people who had hard times and needed a place to go last year are back giving their time or money this year, because it made such an impact,” Mathers said.

Malee was surprised to see so many senior citizens coming in over the years.

“Whether it’s the loss of a spouse, or they’re on a fixed income, or they just don’t want to cook a turkey for two people, we see a lot of older folks here enjoying the food or volunteering themselves,” Malee said. “We couldn’t do it without everyone’s help. My staff, former staff, chefs, businesses, nonprofits, and people in the community making this a part of their holiday. You guys make it happen.”

The event features a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, local entertainment, and live music from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fedora Pub & Grille, 1726 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d’Alene.

Donations are accepted through ElderHelp of North Idaho or through www.gofundme.com/fedoras-freedinner.