Groups Planning To Help Needy On Thanksgiving

Fri., Nov. 21, 1997

Nina Culver Correspondent

Several area churches and other organizations are once again preparing for a busy holiday season of helping the needy.

Mark Silver, one of three owners of the Pawn 1 chain of stores in Spokane, says his company will hold a Thanksgiving dinner at the Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook, at noon on Sunday. Silver says there will be enough food on hand to serve 1,000 people, thanks to donations from several businesses in the area.

Nearly 500 people were served at last year’s dinner in the wake of the ice storm, and Silver says the heavy snowfall that day probably hurt attendance. “We’re hoping for a great turnout (this year) if the weather cooperates,” Silver said.

Silver said he and his partners decided to start the tradition because they wanted to give something back to the community. “Being in the pawn shop industry, we do see people who are having problems in their lives,” he said.

Any food left over will be donated to homeless shelters in the area, he said.

The following organizations are also hosting Thanksgiving dinners or providing food baskets:

North Idaho

St. George’s Catholic Church, 2010 N. Williams, Post Falls, will serve dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Phone: (208) 773-4715.

American Legion Post 143, 640 N. Highway 41, Post Falls, will hold its Thanksgiving dinner from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Phone: (208) 773-9054.

Three Mile Cafe, three miles north of Bonners Ferry near the intersection of highways 2 and 95, will serve dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

Spokane

Goodwill Industries, 130 E. Third, will serve a Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Reservations are required. Call 838-4246.

People wanting to receive a food basket can call the Spokane Food Bank at 534-6678 by Monday for the outlet location serving their area.

The Salvation Army will give out food baskets between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at 1126 N. Monroe.

Picture identification for all family members and address verification are required. Medical coupons will be accepted as identification for children. Phone: 325-6810.

Full Gospel Mission, 1912 E. First, will give away turkeys from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. The mission also will host a Thanksgiving Day dinner at noon following a 10 a.m. worship service. Phone: 534-2168.

Union Gospel Mission, 1224 E. Trent, will serve Thanksgiving dinner at 7 p.m. Wednesday. A musical program at 6 will precede the dinner. A brunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. Phone: 535-8510.

St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church will serve dinner from noon to 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving at 5021 N. Nelson. Transportation is available from specific locations. Phone: 487-1325.

Central United Methodist Church, 518 W. Third, will serve dinner from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Phone: 838-1431.

City Gate, 114 S. Madison, will serve a Thanksgiving dinner from 1 to 5 p.m. Phone: 455-9670.

St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, 2120 E. First, will serve dinner in the parish hall at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. Phone: 535-3031.

Zion Lutheran Church, 8304 E. Buckeye, will provide Thanksgiving baskets to Valley residents. Call the church at 926-5407 by today.

The Spokane Indian Bingo and Casino will host a Thanksgiving dinner from 1 to 6 p.m. Reservations are required; call (800) 322-2788 by Monday. The casino is located at the corner of Highway 395 and Smith Road in Chewelah.

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