Charities make ready for Thanksgiving meals

The Redwood Gospel Mission is still accepting turkeys for today's charitable Thanksgiving meal and food giveaway, which begins at 11 a.m.

At the Redwood Empire Food Bank, volunteers are gathering goods from the many collection barrels placed around town, but say the need for donations of food and money is growing.

And organizers at the Sonoma Community Center said they also need financial donations and volunteers to help with cleanup for the Thanksgiving meal.

A number of agencies, churches and philanthropic groups are providing free Thanksgiving meals today and Thursday. But there is still time to help.

"I just did a turkey count," said Jeff Gilman, executive director of the Redwood Gospel Mission, explaining the mission needs 1,300 turkeys and by mid-morning Tuesday, had 1,142 donated birds.

"There's a steady stream of cars stopping in front of the mission, double-parking and throwing turkeys at us," Gilman said. "We love it."

He's not worried about getting more frozen birds than necessary. Extras will be kept for the Christmas holiday meal and give-away.

The mission is expecting about 5,200 people for the meal, and has an army of 600 volunteers to help with that several other services provided at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

At the Redwood Empire Food Bank, volunteers are hoping for many donations.

"The need is growing. This is the time of year we're like squirrels, and we store our food and funds for winter to come," said David Goodman, executive director of the food bank.

"We've got lots of people with hunger, and that's a basic need," he said.

Goodman suggested numerous ways people can help, from actively volunteering to dropping off food at the food bank, 3320 Industrial Drive.

But even easier, he said, is to donate at grocery stores where food drives are occurring or even to ask party guests to bring donations of food or cash instead of holiday gifts.

"Just do something," he said.

In Sonoma, at the Sonoma Community Center, organizers are expecting about 450 people for a Thursday meal and have lots of food to feed them, said Toni Castrone, events manager.

"We have tons of food. We've had a lot of generosity in that area," Castrone said. "Right now, what we're really low on is wine."

The Sonoma effort also could use cash donations and volunteers to help with cleanup from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

The meal will be served from 3 to 6 p.m. at the center, 276 East Napa St.

TODAY, NOVEMBER 26

Santa Rosa Redwood Gospel Mission. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Chapel services, kids' activities, veterans' services, medical and dental screenings, flu shots for adults, magician, bounce house, haircuts, and Sonoma County Human Services in addition to dinner. Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road. 578-1830. Donations of turkeys, canned food and new, unwrapped toys welcome.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Clearlake Noon-4 p.m. Free, all welcome. Dinners are available throughout the year on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6 p.m. Calvary Chapel. 14330 Memory Lane. 994-5683.

Fort Bragg 2 p.m. Free. Intended for those who otherwise would have no meal or family to have a meal with. Will deliver meals to those who can't attend when they call in advance. First Presbyterian Church, 367 Sanderson Way. 964-2316.

Guerneville 1-5 p.m. God's Grace. All welcome. Veterans Memorial Building, First and Church streets. Volunteers and donations welcome. 869-0574.

Healdsburg 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free raw, vegan, organic meal. Volunteers welcome. Café Gratitude, 206 Healdsburg Ave. 723-4461.

Rohnert Park Shiloh Christian Fellowship. All welcome. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Meals available for shut-ins. Volunteers needed Wednesday evening (bring your own knife) and Thursday. Senior Center, 6800 Hunter Drive, Suite A. 795-8612.

Santa Rosa "A Compassionate Thanksgiving." Potluck sponsored by Vegan Voices. Salad and hot apple cider provided. Bring vegan dish (no animal products, dairy, eggs or honey) and your own plate, cup and utensils. 2 p.m. Free. Monroe Hall, 1400 W. College Ave. 540-1760.

Sebastopol: Community Church of Sebastopol. All welcome. 1-5 p.m. Free. Rides available and meal delivery to shut-ins. 1000 Gravenstein Highway N. 823-2484. www.uccseb.org.

Sonoma All welcome. Gary Edwards to be the top chef. 3-6 p.m. Free, donations of labor, food or money appreciated. Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St. 938-4626, Ext. 1.

Ukiah Seating at 11:30 a.m. for seniors and families with children; general public welcome at noon. Free. Dinner is served Mondays-Fridays throughout the year. Seniors and families with children are seated at 5:30 p.m., all others at 6 p.m. Donations appreciated. Plowshares, 1346 S. State Street, Ukiah. 462-8582.

Willits Willits Community Services. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free, all welcome. Donations will be accepted to help support winter food assistance and other programs through WCS. William F. Harrah Senior Center, 1501 Baechtel Road. 459-3333.