Community bounty: Islanders gather to give thanks this season

Published 11:59 am Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Whether you like your turkey with mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes or no potatoes at all, there are plenty of opportunities to break bread with your fellow islanders this Thanksgiving.

Odd Fellows Thanksgiving

For the first time in its history, the Odd Fellows’ Thanksgiving meal will go on without its heart and soul: organizer Monique Gincig.

“I’ve been winging it,” said Bill Gincig, who is taking over the reins of the annual community event after his wife’s passing this August. The couple started the Thanksgiving dinner nine years ago and it has become an Orcas tradition, with more than 200 people attending.

“One of the highlights is that I have been receiving calls from people who know Monique is gone and want to help,” Bill said. “A number of people have stepped up.”

The meal is served at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 24 at the Odd Fellows Hall. Around 15 turkeys are donated by West Sound Cafe, Inn at Ship Bay, Roses, Orcas Village Store, and Island Market. Volunteers cook the birds at home, and a team of carvers arrive around 2 p.m. to get the turkey ready for guests. Volunteers also provide the gravy and stuffing.

Guests should bring a beverage of their choice and a dish to share from the following list: A-M: side dish (mashed potatoes, yams, veggies, etc.); N-R: salad or bread or rolls; S-Z: dessert.

Attendees can feel free to bring a specialty dish instead of one of the suggested items above. If you can’t afford to make something, come anyway, Bill says.

Tables are arranged for eight and can be reserved for groups wanting to sit together. Plates of food can also be picked up by friends or family for shut-ins; call 376-8857 to arrange.

Bill is nearing his 10-year mark of organizing the meal, and he is as enthusiastic as ever about its importance.

“The reason to come is to participate in a community event where you sit with your neighbors and friends and enjoy their company on a festive occasion,” he said.

Dinner Kitchen at Emmanuel

This month’s Dinner Kitchen on Thursday, Nov. 24 will be a “Thanksgiving Feast” with all of the trimmings. There will be something for everyone, including a selection of vegetarian dishes and food for the kids, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Emmanuel Parish.

“Dinner kitchens are a gift especially for our island seniors, food bank participants and others in need of a hot meal,” said organizer Tom Murdock. “During 2011, we anticipate we will serve more than 2200 hot meals, including monthly dinners at Emmanuel and lunches at the food bank.”

Thanksgiving at the food bank

The Orcas Island Food Bank is hosting a holiday meal on Tuesday, Nov. 22 from noon to 2 p.m.

The food bank is also offering Thanksgiving boxes loaded with turkeys, cranberries, stuffing, potatoes and more – all the ingredients needed to create a bountiful Thanksgiving meal for families of all sizes. To sign up for a box, call the food bank at 376-4445 or email orcasfoodbank@centurylink.net.

If you can’t pick it up on Nov. 22 between 12-2, call the Orcas Family Connections Resource Center at 376-3184 or orcasfrc@gmail.com.