MENDOCINO Co., 11/25/19 — Thanksgiving is a time when families and friends gather together to celebrate community and sharing abundance, but for those who may not know exactly where to go, there are a number of community Thanksgiving events that take place each year around the county. If you are looking for an affordable place to gather and share dinner with other community members, these dinners are either free or low cost and open to all. If you’re interested in helping out, we recommend contacting the organizers, as volunteers are often welcome and much needed.
Beyond gathering with other community members, some of our local animals are also in need, and the Humane Society of Inland Mendocino is also looking for foster homes for the shelter’s animals over the Thanksgiving week, many of which are sleeping outside as the shelter does not have adequate indoor sleeping space. If you can help out, contact them by visiting the shelter, calling 707-485-0123 or emailing [email protected]
Did we miss anything? Let us know and we’ll add it in!
Ukiah:
Monday, November 25: The 10th annual Arbor Youth Resource Center’s Thankfulness Feast, a free event for youth ages 15 – 24 years old and their families. 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at 810 North State Street in Ukiah. Details here.
Thursday, November 28: Join the annual Plowshares community Thanksgiving dinner, happening from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. or “until everyone is fed,” said staff. The dinner will take place at the community dining room at 1346 South State Street in Ukiah; volunteers can call 707-462-8582.
Willits:
Thursday, November 28: The 30th annual Community Thanksgiving dinner at the Willits Harrah Senior Center in collaboration with Willits Community Services and Food Bank. The free turkey dinner takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Senior Center, located at 1501 Baechtel Road in Willits. No reservations are required. Volunteers are asked to call Ruth Ann at Meals on Wheels at 707-459-3333.
Laytonville:
Thursday, November 28: The annual free Community Thanksgiving dinner from 2 p.m. — 5 p.m. at Harwood Hall at 44400 Willis Avenue in Laytonville and open to all. If you are able to donate food or volunteer, contact Laytonville Healthy Start at 707-984-8089.
Fort Bragg:
Thursday, November 28: Join in the 23rd annual Community Thanksgiving with either a no-cost meal or a plate of roasted turkey, fixings and desserts delivered to your home, thanks to many volunteers and the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Bragg, located at 367 S. Sanderson Way in Fort Bragg.
For more information about how to order a meal, contact the church at 707-964-2316 or call Printha at 707-357-5480 or emailing [email protected] Meals can be ordered online at this link or by phone, the deadline for deliveries is Wednesday, November 27 at 11 a.m. Volunteers can also sign up online or contact Gary Champlin, Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]. Donations of desserts or monetary contributions are also welcome. More details here.
Gualala:
Thursday, November 28: Join your neighbors at the annual free community Thanksgiving meal at the Gualala Community Center, sponsored by the community center, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 47950 Center Street in Gualala.*
*An earlier version of this article said that this had not been confirmed. It has now been confirmed.