It’s sad that some homebound seniors have no family to invite them to Thanksgiving dinner. But at least 100 Meals on Wheels clients will get a slab of turkey and fresh mashed spuds to eat alone in front of the TV.
Food can be some comfort.
A big volunteer effort will come together Thursday morning at Sydney’s Bella Rosa Ristorante at Best Western Tulalip Inn. Clipper Cover Catering uses that kitchen and will have dinner food ready to dish.
More than 30 volunteers from The Everett Clinic Foundation, Everett Evergreen Kiwanis and Senior Services of Snohomish County will package and deliver hot meals for shut-ins around Snohomish County.
Bill and Cheryl Caudle manage the hotel kitchen and catering company. Bill Caudle gave the standard answer – he likes to give back – as to why he donates his services. But the couple go beyond the norm to help their community.
They provided free Meals on Wheels Thanksgiving dinner last year, too. They donate certificates to the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club Auction and food to Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett.
For the past two years, Clipper Cove Catering has donated food for fundraising breakfasts, said Sally Evans, community relations director, ensuring the majority of funds raised support the museum.
“Clipper Cove provides quality food and customer service,” Evans said. “Imagine Children’s Museum appreciates their contributions and considers them a great friend to the museum.”
Clipper Cove’s contribution of food Thursday totals about $1,300. Folks will get a hot meal that would sell for $13, including pie, vegetables and stuffing. Cooks will prepare turkeys Wednesday afternoon before the Thursday push.
Regular clients of Meals on Wheels pay for their weekly delivery of food, but this dinner is free. Phil Sullivan, executive director of Senior Services of Snohomish County, said the program delivers 140,000 meals a year.
“Dinner is such a nice component to the many things we do at senior services,” Sullivan said. “We serve 35,000 clients a year, through nutrition, housing, social services or transportation.”
Thursday meal recipients by and large have no family to fix them dinner and they have no place to go for the holiday feast.
“They usually rely on their daily meal from Meals on Wheels,” he said. “This is one day a year we can serve them a hot dinner.”
Sullivan will be delivering meals this year. He said he heard last year that the Thanksgiving volunteer effort was a huge success.
“People were so appreciative,” Sullivan said. “I am not sure which was the richer experience; for the people who received or for those who delivered.”
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
