There’s going to be a whole lot of cooking going on at the South Whidbey bus garage the night before Thanksgiving.
Seventeen South Whidbey people who want to see everyone in their community have a fun and filling Thanksgiving will get together in the garage’s kitchen on Wednesday, Nov. 21 to cook turkeys, mash potatoes, make gravy, bake candied yams and pumpkin pie.
All of this will be delivered the next day to the homes of needy, elderly and shut-in people who cannot get out to a family celebration or who do not have a family to celebrate with.
The South Whidbey Mobile Turkey Unit is hitting the road for the third year in a row, spreading holiday cheer with home food deliveries.
Tom Arhontas, one of the chefs behind the mobile meals, said this year’s turkey unit staff has volunteers from the South Whidbey School District and elsewhere in the community.
They have a good deal of work in front of them. It will take more than a half dozen turkeys to feed this year’s list of free meal recipients. Last year, the service fed 136 people.
Arhontas said he expects a larger number this year due to the downturn in the economy.
With logistical assistance from Jamie and Laura Canby, the turkey unit will make all food deliveries between 10 a.m. and noon on Thanksgiving Day. Delivered meals will come complete with all the fixings, dessert and a beverage.
Arhontas said there is still time for people in need to apply for a meal delivery. Sign up sheets are available at the Bayview Senior Center, Brookhaven, and through Island Home Nursing and Meals on Wheels.
Sponsorship for the meals comes from a number of South Whidbey businesses and individuals. The Mobile Turkey Unit is still accepting donations. Gifts to the effort can go to the unit’s bank account at Pacific Northwest Bank.
The turkey unit operates independently. Last year it was part of the South Whidbey American Legion’s effort to feed the needy on Thanksgiving.
To recommend someone for a meal delivery, call 321-2539
To volunteer for the Mobile Turkey Unit or to help in any other way, call Arhontas at 221-6808 Ext. 5814.
