A record number of dinners will be prepared in both Salem and Centralia for the less fortunate and those who would otherwise be alone this Thanksgiving. However, due to COVID meals are only being offered for pickup or delivery.
In Centralia, the Poplar Place is continuing its tradition of providing a Thanksgiving Dinner. Reservations had to be cut off Wednesday when 800 had signed up. That’s 100 more meals than were made last Thanksgiving. Jenna Kwiatkowski is not surprised because of the impact of COVID.
“We’ve had a lot of elderly people who have called just because their families are not coming to their house for Thanksgiving or they are not hosting Thanksgiving because of everything going for their safety.”
Kwiatkowski says they are very appreciative of all the donations, noting COVID-19 has not been kind to restaurants and bars.
In Salem, for the third year, a dinner is being prepared at the Grace Church of the Nazarene on North Broadway. Tammy Foltz who is leading the effort says 350 have reserved meals. That compares to 326 served last Thanksgiving. While they preferred reservations they will still try and take care of those who call the church today at 548-0881. Pickup will be from ten to two.
