Cambria Thanksgiving meal a ‘gift to the community’

Cambria’s free, annual Thanksgiving Day meal provides plenty of traditional holiday food, entertainment and convivial companionship for everybody, with the dinner served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 24, at the Veterans Memorial Building, 1000 Main St.

The meal and event are provided by volunteers and donors, individuals, members of churches and businesses.

Pastor Gary White of Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Cambria, the dinner is the donors’ “gift to the community. Any money given to us will be forwarded to the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County. We’re all a team,” feeding the people of the area.

According to Linda Giordano, Vineyard’s new coordinator for the event, people can dine at the hall, enjoying the company of other attendees, musical entertainment and decorating provided this year by Cambria 4H members. Meals can also be taken to go, and home delivery is available.

The meal includes the classics: Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, fresh cranberries and more, plus lots of pies donated by individuals and Linn’s. “Donations of pies are always welcome,” Giordano said. Baker-donors can drop them off between 9 and 10 a.m. at the vets hall kitchen.

White said the event is significant for all who help, donate or attend. Diners join in for a variety of reasons, whether the pressures are economic or social.

For instance, White described a woman who “comes every year. She has some dementia now, but for her, it’s like coming home” to be at the Thanksgiving celebration for the community. “She’s a shut-in a lot of the time, and this gives her a chance to see old friends. You can see her eyes sparkle as soon as she comes in the door.”

For details, or to volunteer or donate, call Giordano at 805-203-5147 or email her at caublondie@aol.com

This story was originally published November 16, 2016 at 10:33 AM with the headline "Cambria Thanksgiving meal a ‘gift to the community’."