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As Thanksgiving Day draws near, Humboldt’s nonprofit sector is already hard at work preparing the bounty for next week’s communal feasts. Anyone looking for a home-cooked turkey dinner — dine-in or to-go — can find one for free at several locations across the county from Saturday through Thanksgiving Day. 

Looking to lend a hand? Several organizations are still seeking volunteers to prep food, serve hungry patrons and help with clean-up. Donations of all kinds are also welcome. 

Here’s a chronological list of local places offering free grub between now and turkey day. If you know of another organization offering a free Thanksgiving meal, drop us a line at news@lostcoastoutpost.com and we’ll add it to the list!

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McLean Foundation — Fortuna Veterans Memorial Building, 1426 Main Street, Fortuna

The McLean Foundation is hosting a free Thanksgiving meal at the Fortuna Veterans Memorial Building on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 3 to 5 p.m. Dinner will be prepared and served by the Walker Bailey American Legion Post 205 and Fortuna Fire Department Auxiliary. 

Van Duzen River Grange — 5250 State Route 36, Carlotta

Out in Carlotta, community members will host a free Thanksgiving dinner at the Van Duzen River Grange on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. Folks are welcome to dine in or take their food to go. The grange will also have a small food pantry available for those in need.

Black Humboldt — Jefferson Community Center, 1000 B Street, Eureka

Black Humboldt is hosting a holiday meal and resource distribution at the Jefferson Community Center in Eureka on Sunday, Nov. 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. Volunteers will be serving up hot meals, distributing food boxes and a range of other resources and household items. 

Those interested in donating or volunteering can contact Black Humboldt at (707) 840-4641 or frontdesk@blackhumboldt.com.

Eureka Salvation Army — 2123 Tydd Street, Eureka

Eueka’s Salvation Army will host a free Thanksgiving dinner on Monday, Nov. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Want to volunteer? Contact the Eureka branch at (707) 442-6475.

“These meals are important for the community because it helps connect people to each other,” Salvation Army spokesperson Sandra Solis told the Outpost. “When we do these events, you continually hear the laughter and joy that comes from sharing a meal together. For others, it is a meal that they may not otherwise have. And we get to be a part of bringing family meals, memories and community for everyone.”

Food Not Bombs — Bayshore Way, near the rear entrance to the Bayshore Mall, Eureka

Food Not Bombs is hosting a free Thanksgiving meal during its regular food distribution at the Bayshore Mall in Eureka on Monday, Nov. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. Distribution occurs on Bayshore Way on the north side of the mall, just down the street from Applebee’s.

Betty Kwan Chinn Foundation — 133 Seventh Street, Eureka

Local do-gooder Betty Chinn is handing out holiday food baskets to help folks in need. Reached by phone this week, Chinn told the Outpost that the holiday food basket list has filled up, but said volunteers will distribute to-go items starting on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Folks looking for a hot meal can stop by the Betty Kwan Chinn Day Center after 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 27. This year, she’s expecting to feed over 1,000 people. 

The RAVEN Project — 523 T Street, Eureka

The RAVEN Project in Eureka will host a free Thanksgiving feast on Tuesday, Nov. 25, from 2 to 6 p.m. Given that the RAVEN Project’s services are youth-focused, the meal will be limited to people between the ages of 18 and 24. 

Eureka Rescue Mission — 110 Second Street, Eureka

The Eureka Rescue Mission is cooking up a free Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 26, from 12 to 2 p.m. Those interested in donating food or funds can contact the Rescue Mission at (707) 445-3787.

That’s a lotta pie! | Photo: Florence Carroll

Arcata House Partnership — D Street Neighborhood Center, 1301 D Street, Arcata

Community members are invited to Arcata House Partnership’s third annual Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, Nov. 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free and open to anyone who’s hungry.

Florence Carroll, operations and resource development manager for Arcata House, said the nonprofit is still looking for food donations and volunteers to help with turkey carving, can opening, veggie chopping and oven watching on Tuesday and Wednesday. Those interested in donating food or dropping off a meal can sign up by calling (707) 613-0143.

“We are asking for people to bring anything from mashed potatoes to pies to bread rolls. We’re only accepting them the day before Thanksgiving, so we have time to reheat and ensure everything is food safety compliant,” Carroll said. “We’re really hoping that by providing this meal for people and giving everyone a space to gather and connect, it’ll give everyone a space to exist and be thankful for the things that we do have.

On Saturday, Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Arcata House Partnership will host a donation day to gather winter clothes and other essentials for people in need. More information on the donation drive can be found here.

Carroll also wanted to give a shout-out to the City of Arcata for letting them use the community center free of charge. Thanks, Arcata!

Mateel Community Center — 59 Rusk Lane, Redway

The Mateel Community Center, in partnership with the Garberville Veterans Association, will host its free Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 27, at 12 p.m. Interested in lending a hand? Call Tom Pie at (707) 449-3931.

St. Vincent de Paul’s Dining Facility — 35 Third Street, Eureka

And lastly but certainly not leastly, the St. Vincent de Paul Society will host a free Thanksgiving meal at its Eureka dining facility on Thursday, Nov. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Staff are still looking for volunteers to help with food prep on Wednesday afternoon and clean up on Thursday.

Bob Santilli, board president for St. Vincent de Paul - Redwoods Region, told the Outpost that the Rotary Club of Eureka and Pacific Towing each donated a couple dozen turkeys for upcoming holiday meals. Those interested in donating extra stuff — whether that be monetary, Thanksgiving fixin’s or non-perishable foods — can do so at this link.

Want to volunteer? Give ‘em a call at (707) 445-9588.

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