Groups give Thanksgiving meals to folks in need
The coronavirus pandemic has placed great strain on many people, especially those living paycheck to paycheck. Several local groups are handing out Thanksgiving meals this week to make life a little easier for those who can’t afford them.
“Everybody I talked to, everybody’s just like, ‘Man what’s going on in our country and across the world?’ and that just adds to a bit of stress and worry that people already have,” said Bryan Hall, executive director for the Eureka Rescue Mission. “Us being able to take care of these needs like this, people can take a breath of fresh air.”
The Eureka Rescue Mission is handing out Thanksgiving meals, which include turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and other holiday staples, on Wednesday beginning at 11 a.m. and ending at 1 p.m.
Hall noted that people can come later during the day and still get a meal to go.
Food for People, Humboldt County’s food bank, will also give out special Thanksgiving food items Monday through Wednesday, though they will be closed Thursday and Friday this week.
“It’s been a hard few years for a lot of people, especially those who are already living close to or on the edge financially,” said Carly Robbins, Food for People’s development director. “Having resources so people are still able to put a meal on the table, hopefully, a special holiday meal with families without having to reallocate funds that are meant for rent or other necessities in life, this can just take a little bit of burden off, make things a little more stable and allow families to celebrate in the holidays without putting themselves in a bad financial position.”
Food for People accepts walkins from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at its Eureka food bank. Those interested can make an appointment to get food at another time by calling 707-407-0447.
On Monday, the Betty Kwan Chinn Foundation gave out 250 turkey dinners to people in need. On Tuesday, the foundation will deliver another 500 pre-ordered dinners.
Betty Kwan Chinn, the organization’s founder and namesake, said her foundation might hand out more food if they see a need
for it as the week goes on. She added that the food distribution would not be possible if not for the generous donation from the community.
“I have so much to be thankful for other people’s support, I don’t see how I can’t celebrate this holiday,” Chinn said.
Eureka’s Salvation Army will also have a free Thanksgiving meal given in to-go boxes on Thursday starting at noon and ending at 2:00 p.m. Like the other meals handed out by other organizations, the Salvation Army’s to-go boxes will feature Thanksgiving classics like turkey and mashed potatoes.
Local nonprofit Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives, or AHHA, has been delivering Thanksgiving meal boxes in addition to survival kits full of non-perishable foods and supplies for homeless residents to live through the winter months. In addition to food, the survival kids include tarps, warm clothes, rubber boots and other survival essentials for outside living during cold, rainy weather.
“We want to get them through the winter. We want them to survive if they don’t have a place to be,” said AHHA president Nezzie Wade.
Families in need may enroll in the Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition program. Eligibility is determined by a low-income level, 185% or less of the federal poverty level. Prospective applicants may call 707-445-6255 or text 1-888-416-6984 for more information or to schedule an appointment. The program has locations in Eureka, Fortuna, Garberville and McKinleyville.