Where to find free meals this Thanksgiving
DEVIN WEEKS/Press file Lily McCormick of Rathdrum gives the thumbs up as she checks on one of her tables during the 2017 Lake City Center Free Thanksgiving Day Meal.
Lake City Center Free Thanksgiving Day Meal volunteer Leslie Woodfill exchanges smiles with Sandy Howe of Coeur d’Alene during last year’s event at Lake City Center. The free meal annually takes place on Thanksgiving and welcomes one and all to share a hot holiday meal with their neighbors. This year’s meal will be from noon to 2 p.m. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press file)
Sally Ellingsen of Coeur d’Alene slices into a pumpkin pie last year during the 20th annual Lake City Center Free Thanksgiving Day Meal. Several locations in Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene will provide free meals to the community in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Lake City Center and Freedom Burrito in Post Falls will host their free meals on the actual holiday. (DEVIN WEEKS/Press file)
Those who choose to spend some of their Thanksgiving afternoon at the Lake City Center Free Thanksgiving Day Meal won't be disappointed.
Rich, poor, old, young and everyone in between is embraced from the moment they walk in the door until their bellies are full and they're ready to go home for a post-turkey nap.
Husband and wife Mike and Vickie Hillicoss are celebrating their 21st year putting on this community gathering.
To them, it's more than just a meal.
"What means the most to us is not only providing a place for those in need, but also being able to provide an opportunity for the community to express its generosity and kindness. To share a good meal, a firm handshake or a warm hug," Mike said Thursday afternoon.
The Thanksgiving Day meal is a place where people can come together, despite their differences and the trials and tribulations they face, he said.
"We are all really one people striving for the same thing: love and acceptance," Mike said. "No one should be alone or hungry on this day. Our meal feeds more than hungry people; it feeds that basic human desire to do good and share our humanity with others."
The Lake City Thanksgiving is behind on funds, food and bodies at this time. Only $3,000 of the necessary $6,000 has been raised and the event is still in need of 25 turkeys, 70 pies and a handful of volunteers willing to bus tables and wash dishes.
Last year, more than 1,500 meals were served.
Lake City Center director Bob Small expressed his concern that if the funds aren't raised and donations don't come in, they might have to turn people away.
"The biggest thing is that this is open to everyone," he said. "There is no age requirement, it's not just for seniors or the disabled, not just for the homeless, it's open to everyone.
"Whether you're down on your luck, whatever your situation, we're not judging anybody. The door is open to everyone."
The Lake City Center Free Thanksgiving Day Meal will be served from noon to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving and will include live music and a kids corner.
Lake City Center, a nonprofit, is located at 1916 N. Lakewood Drive in Coeur d'Alene. Those interested in donating or volunteering can email freethanksgiving daymeal@aol.com or call Mike at 509-226-3208. Checks should be made out to Lake City Center Thanksgiving and mailed to or dropped off at the center. Donations are tax-deductible.
Freedom Burrito is starting its Thanksgiving tradition this year with its first free community meal from 2 to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving. And no, they won't be serving burritos.
"It'll be traditional. We have people who are donating turkey, ham, mashed potatoes,” said assistant kitchen manager Jordan Borg. "It's a free meal for anyone who wants to come on down. We have a lot of vets and homeless in our area and we want to be able to help people. Everyone here loves opening our doors to everyone and getting everyone together for the holidays.
Freedom Burrito is located at 1602 E. Seltice Way in Post Falls.
Here are other locations providing free Thanksgiving meals on or leading up to the holiday:
Saturday: 1 to 4 p.m., Post 143 American Legion, 1138 E Poleline Ave., Post Falls. People are welcome to donate food items by noon.
Thanksgiving day: Real Life CDA Recovery, 610 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. Doors open at noon. Dinner served at 2 p.m. Info: Brooke Eberly, beberly@reallifeministries.com or Dave Sayers, dsayers@reallifeministries.com or 208-664-1361.
Thanksgiving day: 1 to 3 p.m., St. George's Catholic Church, 2010 N. Lucas St., Post Falls.