Thanksgiving Meals for Those in Need of Food, Fellowship

Many people in the Bay Area are struggling to make ends meet this holiday season. For those looking to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal at no cost — and perhaps good company as well — a number of places will be serving  turkey with all the trimmings, or vegan/vegetarian feasts. All events are on Thursday.

EAST BAY:

Salute e Vita, 1900 Esplanade Dr., Richmond, has been offering needy families and homeless residents in Contra Costa County a free turkey meal and pumpkin pie for the past three years. Guests are seated at tables with white tablecloths and served by the wait staff and volunteers, which have included Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin and Richmond police Chief Chris Magnus. This year the restaurant hopes to feed 1,000. Starting at 9 a.m. it will bring in diners on chartered buses from 12 pick-up sites throughout the East Bay. All diners will receive a free flu shot after the meal, along with a goodie bag filled with toiletries, warm socks and scarves, and 10 coupons for a soup or sandwich from the restaurant.  For details, call 510-215-0803.

Bay Area Rescue Mission, 200 Macdonald Ave., Richmond. Dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. For more details, call 510-215-4868.

First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond. Interfaith worship at 11:30 a.m. and Thanksgiving dinner from noon till 2 p.m., 510-232-1102.

Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Blvd., Oakland. is opening its doors for a Thanksgiving dinner between noon and 3 p.m. You can make sure you get a seat by calling 510-544-8910 or emailing stategies@allen-temple.org.

Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave./1255 First Ave., Oakland. Thanksgiving dinner served between noon and 2 p.m., "to go" meals will be available after 2 p.m.

Two Star Market, 2020 MacArthur Blvd.,Oakland, hosts its 11th Annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner & Celebration from 1-4 p.m. For more information contact Abdo Alawdi at 510-531-3576 or email 2starmarket@gmail.com.

The League of Volunteers, Newark Pavilion, 6430 Thornton Ave., Newark. The league's 25th annual free Thanksgiving Day dinner will be served from 12:30-4 p.m., and is for "those who would spend the day alone, or who do not have the resources, either money or shelter." No questions asked. For information, call 510-793-5683 or go to www.lov.org.

Badarikashrama ashram, 15602 Maubert Ave., San Leandro, will offer international vegetarian and vegan cuisine and a classical Indian music concert starting at 3 p.m. Diners can enjoy a concert by Shubhangi Sakhalkar, North Indian vocals, with Vivek Datar on harmonium, and Shripad Torve on tabla. No one will be turned away, but an RSVP is recommended by calling 510-278-2444, or emailing badarik@pacbell.net. 

The Bottom of the 9th Bar & Grill, 5319 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland (across from Children's Hospital). Noon- 3 p.m. For more information contact Samantha Wise 510-750-3451.

Livermore Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Bothwell Center, 2466 Eighth St., Livermore. The 31st annual Thanksgiving Dinner, provided by the nonprofit Open Heart Kitchen, will be served  between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. and plans to serve more than 1,000 meals to seniors, singles, shut-ins, families and veterans. The free community dinner welcomes all. For information,  rides, or meals call (925) 455-9782.

SILICON VALLEY AND SOUTH BAY:

Ristorante Don Giovanni, 235 Castro St., Mountain View. Every year for 24 years the restaurant has given away traditional turkey dinners between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., with lines often forming down the block.

Peninsula Hills Women’s Club, Veterans Memorial Senior Center, 1455 Madison Ave., Redwood City. The club  has served turkey dinner to seniors for three decades. Elderly residents without family to celebrate the holiday are welcome to join.

Loaves & Fishes, Eastside Neighborhood Center, 2150 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose. Thanksgiving dinner is from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. The following day (Friday, Nov. 29).

Cafe Gratitude, 103 Lincoln St., Santa Cruz, will hold its Second Annual Community Appreciation Meal — a free organic and vegan meal — from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SAN FRANCISCO:

Glide Memorial, 330 Ellis St. Glide is known for serving thousands for free breakfast and Thanksgiving dinner throughout Turkey Day. Breakfast is served 7-8:30 a.m.; Thanksgiving dinner from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m. A 10 a.m. celebration will be held at the Glide Sanctuary with the Rev. Cecil Williams.

Contributions from the Bay Area News Group and Bay City News.

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