Thanksgiving dinners planned for public

COLUMBIA BASIN — Area churches and senior centers are offering free or reduced price Thanksgiving dinners throughout the Columbia Basin this week.

Moses Lake

In Moses Lake, a free Thanksgiving dinner is being held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. tonight at Desert Springs Community Church, 1001 N. Grape Dr.

Gary Pierce, the church’s pastor, said the event attracted about 200 people last year, including many people in transition, homeless individuals, or those who were “down on their luck.”

The church spreads the word about the dinner through various community groups.

“We thought it would be kind of neat to do it again,” he commented. “Last year, it was really neat. People were just really surprised that we had that kind of dinner.”

He enjoyed seeing people serve others needing help.

“It excited me, that’s what we’re supposed to be doing,” Pierce commented.

Pierce said he expects they will serve 12 turkeys this week, weighing between 20 to 24 pounds each.

“We’re just looking forward to a good turnout,” he says.

The Moses Lake Senior Center held its Thanksgiving dinner last week.

Othello

In Othello, a free dinner is planned from 11:30 a.m until 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Othello Church of the Nazarene, 905 E. Ash St.

One of the organizers, Fernando Moreno, owner of the Othello McDonald’s, said McDonald’s, KFC and the Lions Club are helping with the event.

They expect to serve more than 400 pounds of turkey. Three hundred people attended the dinner during past years, he said.

This year the organizers received requests for food deliveries from people who can’t leave their homes, Moreno says.

“I think the biggest enjoyment I get, is realizing what you have. More than anything else, being grateful for what we have,” Moreno commented.

Soap Lake

The Soap Lake Senior Center’s dinner is at noon on Thursday, at 121 Second Ave., SE, Soap Lake. The cost is $5 per person.

The Ephrata American Legion’s dinner is from 3 p.m to 6 p.m. Thursday, 276 Eighth Ave. N.W., Ephrata. Donations are accepted, but not necessary.